What are the symptoms of CREST syndrome?
Symptoms of CREST Syndrome
- Skin dryness or hardening.
- Discoloration of the skin.
- Joint pain.
- Fatigue.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Heartburn.
- Persistent cough.
- Shortness of breath.
What is the life expectancy of someone with CREST?
In a large 2003 US study by Mayes et al, the survival rate from time of diagnosis was computed to be 77.9% at 5 years, 55.1% at 10 years, 37.4% at 15 years, and 26.8% at 20 years. The extent of skin involvement is a good predictor of survival in patients with scleroderma.
Is CREST syndrome a terminal?
What Is the Life Expectancy for CREST Syndrome? The survival rate for of CREST syndrome (limited scleroderma) from time of diagnosis is estimated to be as follows: 77.9% at 5 years. 55.1% at 10 years.
Can you live with CREST syndrome?
The prognosis of CREST syndrome is relatively good with a long lasting disease duration (>10 years). Two complications are seldom associated with CREST syndrome: digital gangrene with finger losses and pulmonary hypertension (3 to 14% of CREST syndrome).
What triggers CREST syndrome?
CREST syndrome is characterized by: Calcinosis: Calcium skin deposits. Raynaud’s phenomenon: A condition in which the blood vessels of the fingers and toes spasm when triggered by factors, such as cold, stress or illness.
Does CREST syndrome affect the brain?
In conclusion, the advanced calcifications of small vessels in the brain of these two women with a long-lasting CREST syndrome suggest that systemic sclerosis may induce primary cerebrovascular changes, of which wall calcification may be a marker.
Does CREST syndrome cause fatigue?
You may also feel very tired. Some people describe this tiredness as similar to that in people getting cancer treatment. Or it’s similar to the fatigue caused by lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Over time, CREST syndrome can cause problems with your internal organs, such as your heart and lungs.
What foods should be avoided with scleroderma?
Avoid eating two to three hours before bed- time. Avoid foods that may aggra- vate symptoms such as citrus fruits, tomato products, greasy fried foods, coffee, garlic, onions, peppermint, gas-producing foods (such as raw peppers, beans, broccoli or raw onions), spicy foods, carbonated beverages and alcohol.
What are the last stages of scleroderma?
This type of scleroderma is typically accompanied by shortness of breath, a persistent cough, and the inability to perform routine physical activities. End-stage scleroderma often causes pulmonary fibrosis and/or pulmonary hypertension, both of which can be life-threatening.
What is the best treatment for CREST syndrome?
Simple surgical management, including curettage, is often sufficient in limited disease. Treatment with oral corticosteroids is not usually considered effective, but, according to Hazen et al, intralesional corticosteroid therapy has been associated with improvement of calcinosis.
Does scleroderma affect the brain?
Conclusion—The neuropathological findings in these two patients suggest that systemic sclerosis may induce primary vascular changes in the brain, of which calcification may be a marker.
What triggers Crest syndrome?
What is the most serious complication of scleroderma?
In its most serious form (called scleroderma renal crisis), a rapid increase in blood pressure may occur, resulting in kidney failure. Kidney function can be assessed through blood tests.
Does scleroderma affect the eyes?
In some cases, scleroderma can lead to eye problems, including the following: Dry eyes According to research in the journal Archives of Medical Science, the most common eye complication in people with Scleroderma is dry eyes. Dry eyes occur when you cannot produce enough film of tears to keep the eyes lubricated.
What is End Stage scleroderma?
Does scleroderma affect your brain?
What type of scleroderma is fatal?
It is the most fatal of all the rheumatologic diseases. Systemic scleroderma is very unpredictable although most cases can be classified into one of four different general patterns of disease (see Classification).
Does scleroderma affect eyes?
Is scleroderma considered a terminal illness?
In general, patients with limited scleroderma have a normal life expectancy. Some have problems with their GI tract, especially heartburn; severe Raynaud’s and musculoskeletal pain; and a small subset can develop pulmonary hypertension that can be life-threatening.
What are the final stages of scleroderma?
Is scleroderma worse than lupus?
Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have worse health-related quality of life than patients with other systemic rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a Korean study found.
What is the life expectancy of someone with scleroderma?
Does CREST syndrome run in families?
The familial occurrence of scleroderma is uncommon particularly the limited (CREST) form. We describe 2 families in which such an association occurred. Family pedigree 1 consists of 2 of 3 sisters with CREST scleroderma.