https://www.medicinaeinformazione.com/ / medicinaeinformazione / einformazione SCLERODERMIA (OR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS) A MULTIDISCIPLINARY AND MULTIMODAL APPROACH WITH EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TIMELY TREATMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO IMPROVE THE PROGNOSIS AND QUALITY OF LIFE THE MANAGEMENT OF PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS IS NOW POSSIBLE WITH DRUGS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE ON FIBROSIS In our special today we want to learn more about scleroderma, a rare disease also called systemic sclerosis, which makes it clear that it is a systemic disease, therefore multi-organ with significant and sometimes disabling symptoms. It is a chronic disease of unknown etiology with anomalies of the immune system and alterations of the vascular district that leads to a progressive development of fibrosis. Complications may include fibrotic skin manifestations, alterations of the esophageal or gastrointestinal tract, cardiac and renal involvement and lung involvement with the so-called interstitial lung disease, which is the leading cause of death in patients with systemic sclerosis. It is therefore clear how important a multidisciplinary and multimodal approach is in dedicated centers, for early management, timely treatment and constant monitoring to detect any progression of the disease and intervene with the aim of achieving remission of symptoms in the shortest possible time. There are therefore some key steps to improve the patient journey, both in terms of prognosis and quality of life. We talked about all this with: Marco Matucci Cerinic, Full Professor of Rheumatology, University of Florence Venerino Poletti, Professor of Respiratory Diseases, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna Ilaria Galetti, Vice President GILS – Italian Group for the Fight against Scleroderma Valentina Moro, Boehringer Ingelheim Italia Among the topics: The identikit of the disease and the first symptoms of the disease. What steps are necessary for an early diagnosis and to start the therapeutic process in a timely manner. The importance of a multidisciplinary approach for the correct management of the diagnosis and treatment process. One of the most serious complications of sclerodemia is lung involvement, therefore the role of the pulmonologist is important in recognizing them and starting therapy with effective drugs available today. Synergy with other specialists is essential for a collegial evaluation of the clinical picture, what figures are necessary in the patient journey? What are the needs of those living with scleroderma and the value of the ScleroNet project? What actions could concretely improve the treatment path of patients, let's listen to their reflections.