Aim: To highlight the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and therapeutic aspects of scleroderma.

Material and methods: A 4-year retrospective medical record study of patients with scleroderma admitted to the Iasi Clinic of Dermatology. A total of 50 patients were enrolled in the study. The obtained data allowed the classification of patients according to their distribution by gender, age, area of residence, clinical aspects, laboratory findings and type of therapy.

Results: The 4-year prevalence of scleroderma was 0.68%. Scleroderma prevailed among the rural population, and affected females more frequently than males, in a 4:1 ratio. The minimum age at the time of scleroderma diagnosis was 7 years and the maximum age 73 years with a peak incidence between 40-70 years of age (64%). Seventy percent of the cases presented the limited form of the disease, of which 28 cases of plaque-type scleroderma, 5 cases of generalized scleroderma, and 2 cases of linear scleroderma (en bande). The remaining 30% of cases had the systemic form of the disease, of which 8 the diffuse form, 4 the acrosclerotic form and 3 CREST syndrome. Topical corticosteroid therapy was used in 90% of limited scleroderma cases and in all systemic scleroderma cases, to which dietary supplements, immunosuppressants, systemic corticotherapy were added depending on case particularity.

Conclusion: Scleroderma is a rare but complex skin disorder, ranging from mild to severe forms with a fulminant course and rapidly life-threatening.