Lung Function in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Scleroderma is a chronic disease of unknown aetiology, usually classified with the collagen diseases. Raynaud's phenomenon occurs in a high proportion of cases. The most obvious manifesta-tions are in the skin, but other organs may be involved, notably the lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. The term diffuse or progressive systemic sclerosis has been introduced to describe those cases showing visceral as well as cutaneous manifestations. The essential pathological features are swelling and disintegration of the collagen tissue accompanied by cellular infiltration and fibrosis; the process may also involve the intima of small vessels with fibrinoid necrosis and occlusion.