Terms in this set (38)

OriginalAlphabetical
What is another name for scleroderma?
Systemic Sclerosis
What is scleroderma?
-General type of disease?
-What types of cells does it activate?
Autoimmune disease that causes tissue damage and activation of fibroblasts
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes tissue damage and activates
fibroblasts. What do the fibroblasts do?
Fibroblasts deposit collagen
--Leads to sclerosis (hence the name)
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes tissue damage and activates
fibroblasts. What tissues are mainly affected?
Skin (derma)
GI tract
Lungs
Kidneys
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease. What population is generally affected?
Women of childbearing years
Scleroderma Pathogenesis:
This begins when something damages the endothelium in small vessels. What occurs
as the blood vessels heal?
Blood vessel fibrosis and ischemic injury
Scleroderma Pathogenesis:
This disease is characterized by excessive fibroblast activation and fibrosis. What role
do T cells play in this?
T cells release excessive amounts of cytokines
--Stimulates the fibroblasts
Scleroderma Pathogenesis:
This disease is characterized by excessive fibroblast activation and fibrosis. What role
do autoantibodies play in this?
Autoantibodies can stimulate PDGF
--Stimulates the fibroblasts
What characteristics are seen in diffuse scleroderma?
-Skin involvement?
-Visceral involvement?
Widespread skin involvement
Early visceral involvement
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
What is the most common initial complaint?
Raynaud's phenomenon
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
Raynaud's is the most common initial complaint. What is this?
Digital vessel vasculitis and fibrosis
--Causes a white -> blue -> red color changes
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
Where does the skin involvement begin?
Sclerosis cuts off blood supply, distal parts involved first
--Begins in the fingers
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
Skin involvement begins in the fingers. How does it spread?
Spreads proximally
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
How is the skin involved?
Sclerosis cuts off blood supply
--Atrophy and tissue swelling
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
Skin involvement is atrophy and tissue swelling. How does this manifest?
Manifests as puffy, taut skin without wrinkles
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
The esophagus is often involved. What happens to the smooth muscle in the
esophagus?
Smooth muscle in esophagus is replaced with collaged
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
The smooth muscle in the esophagus can be replaced with collagen. What esophageal
function would this impair?
There would be no peristalsis
Clinical Features of Diffuse Scleroderma:
Replacement of esophageal smooth muscle with collagen can impair peristalsis. How
would this present?