Тесты для диагностики системного склероза

Systemic sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose as it can develop gradually and can take different forms.

Doctor and patient looking at lung x-ray

Systemic sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose as it can develop gradually and can take different forms.

There is no single test or feature which gives a yes/no answer. Instead, the diagnosis is made after looking at the whole person, taking into account their symptoms, physical examination and blood tests. This may involve seeing a specialist – usually a rheumatologist, who is a doctor specialising in joint and connective tissue diseases.

These tests or indicators can include:

ANA (antinuclear antibody) test
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Nailfold Capillaroscopy
Skin biopsy
Modified Rodnan Skin Score
Blood pressure tests
Other blood tests
Gag reflux problems
Biomarkers
X-rays
CT scans
Organ specific tests: including ECG heart test, endoscopy, echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests

Below Dr John Pauling explains various tests we use to diagnose systemic sclerosis:

Dr Pauling smiling at camera with arms crossed and SRUK flag behind

The Importance of Very Early Diagnosis

Professor Marco Matucci Cerinic, Scientific Consultant IRCCS Hospital San Raffaele, Milan talks about the importance of very early diagnosis (VEDOSS) in systemic sclerosis at the 2025 Cambridge Conference.