BACKGROUND

Localized scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease, the incidence and prevalence of which are gradually increasing. Localized scleroderma is the most common form of the disease, especially in childhood, its different subtypes are not mutually exclusive, and one patient may have several of them at once. Adequate therapy of scleroderma becomes more and more relevant due to the preservation of patients’ quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

To study the literature data on difficulties of localized scleroderma therapy, including the effectiveness and safety of clobetasol-17-propionate.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A review of Russian and foreign sources on etiology, pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis and therapy of localized scleroderma was conducted.

RESULTS

Scleroderma treatment is accompanied with considerable difficulties. D-penicillamine, vitamin D, corticosteroids, cytostatics, interferon, phototherapy are used with varying success. Topical preparations are preferred for superficial and limited forms, where a prominent representative is clobetasol-17-propionate. The medication advantages are quick action, vasoconstriction intensity and high therapeutic index.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of scleroderma is a complex process, the effectiveness of which is often difficult to assess. The use of very strong topical corticosteroids is an available method of topical therapy and contributes to achieving a clinical effect and reducing the risks of adverse events development.