TY  - JOUR
AV  - public
Y1  - 2017/10//
EP  - 591
TI  - An atypical case of scleroderma
PB  - MA HEALTHCARE LTD
N2  - Systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma is a rare systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease with an annual incidence of 3.7 per million in the UK. We report the case of a 55 year old female presenting with insidious onset weight loss, pruritus and worsening shortness of breath. Examination revealed signs of cardiac failure, fine inspiratory crepitations, hepatomegaly and diffuse cutaneous depigmentation although with minimal peripheral sclerodactyly. The anti-nuclear antibodies were interestingly negative and malignancy was not found on thorough screening. The patient was commenced on treatment with oral prednisone and intravenous cyclophosphamide for diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. A rapid response in cardiac function, respiratory symptoms and fatigue was noted. In addition, skin texture rapidly improved with associated re-pigmentation seen within two weeks of commencing treatment. However, within two months of discharge the patient died. The cause of death was thought to be due to cardiac arrhythmia likely secondary to chronic myocarditis.
ID  - discovery10052021
IS  - 10
N1  - This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher?s terms and conditions.
SP  - 590
VL  - 78
A1  - Stavrou, C
A1  - Wincup, C
A1  - Kravvas, G
A1  - Manson, J
JF  - British Journal of Hospital Medicine
UR  - https://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2017.78.10.590
SN  - 1759-7390
ER  -