Type : Phenotype or locus, molecular basis unknown;
Alternative titles and symbols : Systemic sclerosis, susceptibility to;
Included titles and symbols : Crest syndrome;
Description : Systemic sclerosis is a clinically heterogeneous connective tissue disorder characterized
by immune activation, vascular damage, and fibrosis of the skin and major internal
organs. Clinical and experimental data suggest that the disorder is multifactorial,
involving both genetic and environmental factors (Fonseca et al., 2007). Gabrielli
et al. (2009) provided a detailed review of scleroderma, including clinical manifestations
and pathophysiology. See also Reynolds syndrome (613471), which shares some clinical
features with scleroderma and CREST syndrome.;