Systemic scleroderma, clinical variants of the course

Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases among women, with a peak incidence between the ages of 44 and 55. Rheumatology distinguishes several clinical forms of SSc: diffuse, limited (localized), juvenile (onset before 16 years), and overlap (mixed) forms. SSc is a classic heterogeneous disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations and varied courses. The most frequent initial symptom is Raynaud’s syndrome, which can be either primary or secondary. The onset of SSc in older adults requires thorough laboratory investigations to rule out oncological causes. This article presents a clinical case of SSc with periods of exacerbations and remissions. The 58-year-old patient’s disease began with Raynaud’s syndrome and elevated inflammatory markers. A year later, targeted testing revealed serological markers of SSc, while inflammatory markers were not elevated despite the progression of Raynaud’s syndrome.