Scleroderma

This condition is treated in the Scleroderma clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and include in particular:

• Skin changes
• GIT symptoms
• Joint stiffening
• Respiratory symptoms

Tests

• FBE, ESR
• U&E +LFT
• CK
• Urinalysis
• ANA/ENA

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Scleroderma clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Education and lifestyle advice.

Symptomatic treatments including with simple analgesia, moisturisers.

Reynaud's phenomenon can be treated with calcium channel blockers.

Upper GI symptoms may respond to antacids and proton pump inhibitors. Management of constipation may be of benefit.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Patient information can be found at: Arthritis Australia

Clinic appointments

? Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Urgent (Category 1)

? Critical ischaemia

? Infected digital ulceration

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Availability

North

Refer to General Medicine.

North West

Refer to General Medicine.

South

Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982