scleroderma

noun

sclero·​der·​ma ˌskler-ə-ˈdər-mə 

: a usually slowly progressive disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and often in internal organs and structures

Examples of scleroderma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Raynaud’s is often one of the first symptoms of scleroderma, and all the participants had both conditions.2 Participants were asked to rate the severity of their Raynaud’s symptoms on a ten-point scale every three months from 2014 to 2023. —John Loeppky, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024

Autoimmune conditions: Certain autoimmune disorders—such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn's disease, connective tissue disorders, systemic sclerosis, and scleroderma—can affect the structure and function of the esophagus and cause odynophagia. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 13 July 2024

Patients with scleroderma and those with myositis had a reduction in symptoms during the follow-up period. —Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2024

After Rita died of scleroderma in 2018, Latifah made a documentary to raise awareness of a lung disease that complicated her mother’s condition. —Emily Lordi, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023

At this year’s event, the SRF will debut the Bob Saget Legacy Award, which will honor individuals who have followed in his footsteps by helping raise awareness about scleroderma and funds to find a cure. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2023

Growing increasingly ill with scleroderma, Meyer finds a guiding spirit in the painter Paul Klee. —Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023

The body systems most commonly affected by scleroderma are: Skin (limited to the upper limbs, and less often the lower limbs) Esophagus Lungs Kidneys Skeletal muscles Pericardium2 Within these systems, connective tissues are the specific areas affected. —Rachael Zimlich, Bsn, Rn, Verywell Health, 13 July 2023

Nurses who cared for Madison through the highs and lows of battling acute systemic scleroderma, a rare illness that affects the skin and other organs. —Nikole Killion, CBS News, 16 May 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

scleroderma

noun

sclero·​der·​ma ˌskler-ə-ˈdər-mə 

plural sclerodermas also sclerodermata -mət-ə 

: a usually slowly progressive disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and often in internal organs and structures, by hand and foot pain upon exposure to cold, and by tightening and thickening of the skin

No treatment exists to reverse scleroderma, and when it moves to the digestive system, kidneys, heart, and lungs, it is often fatal.

—J. Lee Nelson, Natural History

When physicians suspect scleroderma, they may use several diagnostic tests to distinguish it from other connective tissue disorders.

—Peta Gillyatt, Harvard Health Letter

called also dermatosclerosis