Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease of the connective tissue (one of the tissues that make up our body), in which hardened areas or plaques of tissue are present. It can have two forms, localized scleroderma, which affects the skin, and systemic scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis , which affects several organs. Despite being a rare disease, systemic sclerosis is more frequent than the localized form of the disease. It is estimated that in Portugal 2500 to 3000 people have systemic sclerosis. According to data from 1017 for the United States and England, the prevalence of the disease is 1-5 cases per 1000 inhabitants. Since systemic sclerosis can affect several organs, it can have several symptoms. The organs most frequently affected are the skin, lungs, heart, and digestive system. When the lungs are affected, patients with systemic sclerosis may have chronic respiratory disease, and acute complications caused by severe respiratory infections, such as pneumonia. For these patients, the COVID-19 pandemic is thus a time of increased car e. What are the special precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with systemic sclerosis? In the current scenario, not facilitating is more important than ever. Thus, patients with systemic sclerosis should : Continue to take the medications prescribed by their physicians, which is adjusted to the severity of their illness; Get in touch with the physician in any situation that they consider strange or unusual; Perform the usual mobility exercises; Be more careful with their food, namely, do not commit dietary restrictions and reinforce vitamins and trace elements in the diet. Also, considering the fragility of the immune system associated with both systemic sclerosis and the drug therapies indicated for this disease, patients should try to prevent themselves against serious respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia or the flu, namely through vaccination. Patients should analyze themselves and try to understand if they have any symptoms that may be related to COVID-19, such as fever, cough, muscle pain, loss of smell or taste or difficulty breathing, if they already had these symptoms or if they are different from the usual ones. They must be aware that the fever and shortness of breath associated with COVID-19 are usually more pronounced than the similar symptoms they may have due to systemic sclerosis. To date, there is no indication to stop the anti-inflammatory therapy that many patients with systemic sclerosis undergo. As there is no vaccine or effective treatment against the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, that causes COVID-19, compliance with the hygiene and safety rules recommended by the Direção Geral da Saúde and the World Health Organization is essential . Do not facilitate! Author: Maria José Guimarães The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
