Interdisciplinary team of the Scleroderma Assessment of the Clinic for Rheumatology and Physiotherapy Occupational Therapy USZ.
Systemic sclerosis treatment
As systemic sclerosis is characterized by a range of symptoms that can vary greatly from person to person, it is very important that the assessment, care and treatment is tailored to the individual patient. Particularly at the beginning of the illness, this should be comprehensively clarified in the sense of a status assessment and checked regularly (e.g. annually) as the illness progresses.
Inpatient scleroderma assessment
This is a short inpatient assessment for patients with systemic sclerosis with close interdisciplinary collaboration between doctors from various disciplines, occupational therapy specialists, physiotherapists, nursing staff and wound experts. As a multi-organ disease, systemic sclerosis requires the involvement of various medical disciplines and medical specialists. The short inpatient assessment is particularly suitable for patients with a new diagnosis or a severe course.
Outpatient scleroderma assessment
This is a standardized annual assessment for patients with systemic sclerosis or an early form of systemic sclerosis in order to detect any progression of the disease at an early stage and treat it accordingly. Echocardiography, lung function, a 6-minute walk test, capillary microscopy, a CT thorax and laboratory tests are usually carried out on the same day. In addition, a meeting is held with rheumatology specialists with special expertise in systemic sclerosis, taking into account the findings, and a treatment plan is developed for the coming year.
Treatment
Precisely because systemic sclerosis is a rare rheumatic disease, it is a very important disease that should be taken seriously. Untreated/uncontrolled, the mortality rate over the entire course of the disease is high for certain forms. Even though the disease is still considered “chronic” and “incurable” today, treatment successes have increased significantly over the last 25 years thanks to the various targeted therapy options. As the disease is very complex, treatment/care tailored to the individual patient is very important. Due to these individual differences, some patients “only” need regular check-ups by specialists, while others require comprehensive treatment (medication, therapists).
Cooperations
As part of the scleroderma assessment, there is close cooperation with other departments of the University Hospital, in particular physiotherapy and occupational therapy, the Clinic for Pneumology, the Institute for Diagnostic Radiology and the Clinic for Cardiology. In addition, there are numerous national and international collaborations, particularly in the field of clinical and basic research. The Scleroderma Center plays a leading role in international research initiatives.
Responsible specialist
Oliver Distler, Prof. Dr. med.
Director of Department, Department of Rheumatology
Tel.
+41 44 255 29 70
Mail
bahar.aydogan@usz.ch
Specialties:
Systemic sclerosis, Connective tissue disease, Systemic diseases
Carmen-Marina Mihai, PD Dr. med.
Senior Physician, Department of Rheumatology
Tel.
+41 44 255 26 87
Mail
dispo.ruz@usz.ch
Specialties:
Systemic sclerosis, Collagenoses, Inflammatory systemic diseases
For patients
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Tel.
+41 44 255 26 87
Mail
dispo.ruz@usz.ch