The number and variety of chronic diseases that can be controlled through self-management continues to swell. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease connective tissue and one of the most common collagen diseases. There are several clinical types of scleroderma, which differ in their course, possible complications, and prognosis. The most characteristic form, SSc, is limited and diffuse systemic sclerosis. The disorder is characterized by the progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, leading to their failure, morphology, and blood vessels disorders. A study from Poland by Sieraskowska and coworkers attempted to identify the main health problems of patients suffering from systemic sclerosis depending on its clinical form: limited systemic sclerosis (LSSc) and diffuse systemic sclerosis (dSSc), and to determine the influence of disease duration on symptom intensification in patients with the two conditions. The study consisted of 63 patients with systemic sclerosis diagnosed according to the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association, 47 of whom had limited systemic sclerosis (74.6%) and 16 with diffuse systemic sclerosis (25.4%).

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU: The authors concluded that key to the complex therapy is to recognize the individual care problems of the patient, to assess his or her ability to cope with the disease in daily life, and to plan care, support, education and help of other professionals. The main aim of individual nursing care was not only to alleviate ailments and prevent infections, but to teach patients self-monitoring and self-management skills to help control their condition. By teaching self-management and insuring that they perform these skills, patients may not only make a significant contribution to control of their condition, but also live longer and fuller lives.

M Sierakowska et al. Nursing problems of patients with systemic sclerosis. Advances in Medical Science, 2007;52 Suppl 1:147-152.