-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
scleroderma
noun
sclero·der·ma
ˌskler-ə-ˈdər-mə
: a usually slowly progressive disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and often in internal organs and structures
Examples of scleroderma in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That paper described outcomes of 15 people with lupus, scleroderma, or myositis between 4 and 29 months after CAR-T therapy.
—Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 14 Nov. 2024
The study included more than 2,200 people with the autoimmune disease scleroderma.
—John Loeppky, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
Raynaud’s is often one of the first symptoms of scleroderma, and all the participants had both conditions.2
Participants were asked to rate the severity of their Raynaud’s symptoms on a ten-point scale every three months from 2014 to 2023.
—John Loeppky, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024
Autoimmune conditions: Certain autoimmune disorders—such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn's disease, connective tissue disorders, systemic sclerosis, and scleroderma—can affect the structure and function of the esophagus and cause odynophagia.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 13 July 2024
Patients with scleroderma and those with myositis had a reduction in symptoms during the follow-up period.
—Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2024
After Rita died of scleroderma in 2018, Latifah made a documentary to raise awareness of a lung disease that complicated her mother’s condition.
—Emily Lordi, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023
At this year’s event, the SRF will debut the Bob Saget Legacy Award, which will honor individuals who have followed in his footsteps by helping raise awareness about scleroderma and funds to find a cure.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2023
Growing increasingly ill with scleroderma, Meyer finds a guiding spirit in the painter Paul Klee.
—Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin
First Known Use
circa 1860, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near scleroderma
Cite this Entry
“Scleroderma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scleroderma. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
scleroderma
noun
sclero·der·ma
ˌskler-ə-ˈdər-mə
plural sclerodermas also sclerodermata
-mət-ə
: a usually slowly progressive disease marked by the deposition of fibrous connective tissue in the skin and often in internal organs and structures, by hand and foot pain upon exposure to cold, and by tightening and thickening of the skin
No treatment exists to reverse scleroderma, and when it moves to the digestive system, kidneys, heart, and lungs, it is often fatal.—J. Lee Nelson, Natural History
When physicians suspect scleroderma, they may use several diagnostic tests to distinguish it from other connective tissue disorders.—Peta Gillyatt, Harvard Health Letter
called also dermatosclerosis
More from Merriam-Webster on scleroderma
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scleroderma
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share