Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) among Nigerians.

Scleroderma and other connective tissue diseases have rarely been reported among Africans. The objective of this paper is to have a retrospective study of the clinical and investigative characteristics of scleroderma patients seen in a rheumatology clinic. This was done in a private practice rheumatology clinic in Lagos, Nigeria. Patients were identified using the American College of Rheumatology criteria for diagnosis of scleroderma. A total of 14 cases of scleroderma are reported. Most of the patients were females and diffuse scleroderma was more frequently seen. Arthritis and reflux esophagitis were the most common nondermatological presentation while Raynaud's phenomenon and dysphagia were the least seen. Restrictive pattern of lung function tests were seen in most of those tested and pulmonary fibrosis was seen in some cases. Antinuclear antibodies were the commonest serological findings with the speckled staining pattern in most cases. Treatments were with standard medications. Scleroderma among Nigerians is rare as elsewhere and there are certain common characteristics as seen elsewhere as well as certain differences.