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Risk Factors for Scleroderma

A risk factor is something that raises the chances of getting a health problem. A person can get scleroderma with or without the ones listed below. The chances of getting it are greater in people who have many risk factors.

Localized scleroderma is more common in women and people who are White. It can happen in both children and adults. Systemic sclerosis is more common in people who are 20 to 50 years of age.

Other things that may raise the risk are:

  • Genetics —People with first-degree family members with systemic lupus erythematosus have a higher risk of systemic scleroderma.
  • The environment —Exposure to chemicals or solvents may raise the risk of systemic scleroderma.
REFERENCES:

Kowal-Bielecka O, Fransen J, et al. Update of EULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Aug;76(8):1327-1339.

Localized scleroderma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/localized-scleroderma. Accessed August 12, 2020.

Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp. Accessed August 12, 2020.

Systemic sclerosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/systemic-sclerosis. Accessed August 12, 2020.

What is scleroderma? Scleroderma Foundation website. Available at: http://www.scleroderma.org/site/PageServer?pagename=patients_whatis#.WEhnf02QzIV. Accessed August 12, 2020.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD