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What Are the Causes of Scleroderma?

Scleroderma is a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the connective tissue. The body overproduces collagen and it collects in the body's tissues, causing scar tissue to form in both the skin and internal organs. This resulting thickening of tissue can interfere with the normal function of those organs.

  1. No Known Cause

    • The actual cause of scleroderma is not known. Evidence suggests there might be genetic factors involved, and also that environment can play a role. It is not a disease that can be transmitted between people.

    Genetic Factors

    • Because there is a tendency for multiple family members to have scleroderma, it may be inherited. However, studies of twins have suggested otherwise because while one identical twin may develop scleroderma, the other twin might not. This indicates that genetics plays a role in the development of the disease, though not necessarily inherited genetics but something that happens to the genes because of the environment.

    Race

    • Choctaw Indians in Oklahoma are 20 times more likely to develop scleroderma, but the Choctaw Indians in Mississippi are not -- which again suggests that environment may affect the gene, African-Americans also develop the condition more frequently than the general population and are more likely to experience lung complications from it.

    Gender

    • Women are four times more likely to develop scleroderma. This may be because some studies suggest childbirth leads to an increased risk of developing scleroderma.

    Environmental Risk Factors

    • Exposure to certain substances seems to be linked to scleroderma. The known substances are silica dust, some industrial solvents and some chemotherapy drugs. Another environmental factor could be a viral infection.

    Possible Cause

    • Some researchers believe the connective-tissue growth factor could be the cause. This gene regulates a protein that could cause scleroderma and an abundance of the gene is more common in people with scleroderma than those without it. Still, researchers believe the the gene plays a partial role, if any.

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