Some Progress with Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: JOHN L. ABRUZZO
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1979)

Editorial Notes1 January 1979Some Progress with Systemic SclerosisJOHN L. ABRUZZO, M.D.JOHN L. ABRUZZO, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-90-1-117 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThe treatment of systemic sclerosis has been ineffectual despite past enthusiasm for some drugs, notably corticosteroids, dimethyl sulfoxide, epsilon aminocaproic acid, potassium para-amino benzoic acid, and edetate disodium. Recent reports have brought promise of advances in management. The results of renal transplantation have been better than expected (1-3). D-Pencillamine may be effective in early disease (4-6), and the previously inevitable fatal outcome for the patient with severe renal failure and hypertension seems to be reversible with antihypertensive therapy and chronic renal dialysis (7-9).Diagnosis of scleroderma is rarely difficult in its advanced form. The clinician readily recognizes typical leathery and...References1. CANNON P, HASSAR M, CASE D, CASARELLA W, SOMMERS S, and LEROY E: The relationship of hypertension and renal failure in scleroderma (progressive systemic sclerosis) to structural and functional abnormalities of the renal cortical circulation. Medicine (Baltimore) 53:1-46, 1974 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. RICHARDSON J: Hemodialysis and kidney transplantation for renal failure from scleroderma. Arthritis Rheum 16:265-271, 1973 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. KEANE W, DANIELSON B, and RAIJ L: Successful renal transplantation in progressive systemic sclerosis. Ann Intern Med 85:199-202, 1976 LinkGoogle Scholar4. HARRIS E and SJOERDSMA A: Effect of penicillamine on human collagen and its possible application to treatment of scleroderma. Lancet 2:996-999, 1966 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. HERBERT C, LINDBERG K, JAYSON M, and BAILEY A: Biosynthesis and maturation of skin collagen in scleroderma, and effect of D-pencillamine. Lancet 1:187-192, 1974 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. ASBOE-HANSEN G: Treatment of generalized scleroderma with inhibitors of connective tissue formation. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 55:461-465, 1975 MedlineGoogle Scholar7. LAM M, RICANATI E, KHAN M, and KUSHNER I: Reversal of severe renal failure in systemic sclerosis. Ann Intern Med 89:642-643, 1978 LinkGoogle Scholar8. MITNICK P and FEIG P: Control of hypertension and reversal of renal failure in scleroderma. N Engl J Med 299:871-872, 1978 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. WASNER C, COOKE C, and FRIES J: Successful medical treatment of scleroderma renal crisis. N Engl J Med 299:873-875, 1978 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. MASI A, RODNAN G, MEDSGER T, FRIES J, ALTMAN R, MCSHANE D, SHARP G, MACKENZIE A, LEROY E, BROWN B, and D'ANGELO W: Clinical criteria for early diagnosed systemic sclerosis: preliminary results of the ARA multicenter cooperative study (abstract). Arthritis Rheum 21:576-577, 1978 Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: JOHN L. ABRUZZO, M.D.Affiliations: Division of Rheumatology The Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byProgressive systemic sclerosis: Mode of presentation, rapidly progressive disease course, and mortality based on an analysis of 91 patients 1 January 1979Volume 90, Issue 1Page: 117-118KeywordsAntihypertensive drug therapyChronic kidney diseaseDrugsHypertensionMedical dialysisPotassiumRenal failureRenal transplantationScleroderma ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 January 1979 PDF downloadLoading ...