Diffuse Cuntaenous Systemic Sclerosis (dcSSc)
Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) is a subtype of systemic scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) characterized by skin hardening (fibrosis) and problems in many of the body. The disease can occur at any age but mainly affects people between 40 and 50 years of age. Symptoms include Raynaud’s phenomenon; skin fibrosis beginning on the fingers and face that rapidly becomes generalized; "spider veins" (telangiectasias) on the thorax, face, lips, tongue, and fingers; gastroesophageal reflux; and difficulty eating () along with weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. Dry mouth and dental involvement can occur. Joint pain (arthralgias), muscular pain, weakness, cramps, and destruction of the tips of the fingers or toes (acroosteolysis) are frequent. Severe problems involving the lung (fibrosis or pulmonary hypertension) and kidney problems may also occur.
“Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis.” Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017, rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/9751/diffuse-cutaneous-systemic-sclerosis.
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