Systemic sclerosis cutaneous expression: Management of skin fibrosis and digital ulcers

Marta Starnoni; Marco Pappalardo; Amelia Spinella; Sofia Testoni; Melba Lattanzi; Raimondo Feminò; Giorgio De Santis; Carlo Salvarani; Dilia Giuggioli

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102984

Systemic sclerosis cutaneous expression: Management of skin fibrosis and digital ulcers

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2021 Nov 2:71:102984. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102984. eCollection 2021 Nov.

Authors

Marta Starnoni^{1

2}, Marco Pappalardo¹, Amelia Spinella³, Sofia Testoni³, Melba Lattanzi¹, Raimondo Feminò⁴, Giorgio De Santis¹, Carlo Salvarani³, Dilia Giuggioli³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.
² Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
³ Department of Rheumatology, Division of Rheumatology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.
⁴ Department of Anesthesiology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico of Modena, Largo Pozzo 71, 41124, Modena, Italy.

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease with cutaneous involvement. Clinical manifestations result from the balance of inflammations/autoimmunity process and fibrogenesis. Patients suffer from skin ulcers, non-ulcerative lesions including digital pitting scars, telangiectasias, subungual hyperkeratosis, abrasions, fissures, and subcutaneous calcinosis. A review about the pathophysiology of the disease, the physical examination of the patients, the instrumental assessment, and possible treatments is performed.

Keywords: Autologous fat grafting; DU, digital ulcer; Digital ulcers; MHISS, Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis scale; ROM, Range of Motion; RP, Raynaud's phenomenon; SSc, Systemic sclerosis; SU, skin ulcer; Scleroderma; Skin fibrosis; Systemic sclerosis.

Publication types

Review