References
Systemic sclerosis: a case report and considerations for general dental practitioners
From Volume 45, Issue 8, September 2018 | Pages 742-748
Article
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rheumatic autoimmune, connective tissue disorder of excess collagen production, which can affect multiple organs, including the vascular, gastrointestinal, renal and musculoskeletal systems. The most prominent features include vasculopathy (fibrosis and disregulation of repair of blood vessels1), fibrosis of the skin and/or internal organs and specific autoantibodies production.2 The true pathogenesis is still unknown, however it has been attributed to genetic, environmental and immune-related factors. The immunological presence in SSc is usually found to involve auto-antibodies and activated lymphocytes, with increased levels of cytokines and growth factors detected.1
SSc tends to present in the 4th and 5th decade of life, with initial presenting symptoms including Raynaud's phenomenon and tightening of the skin. It is a rare condition, with prevalence 140.2 per million3, but it is of importance as this group of patients has a higher mortality and morbidity rate than healthy individuals, namely due to cardiac, renal and pulmonary complications.4,5
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