Progress in methods and techniques for evaluating the skin hardness degree of scleroderma

Scleroderma is a kind of connective tissue disease characterized by fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis increase, and skin hardening and thickening, which has complex pathogenesis and can cause multiple system damage. Skin sclerosis is a common sign of scleroderma. Early diffuse and rapid skin sclerosis is thought to be associated with increased risk of organ involvement and mortality. Instead, skin sclerosis remission suggests a better prognosis. However, there are no sensitive and specific objective evaluation methods currently, which limits the accurate judgment of the therapeutic effect and prognosis of scleroderma. This paper reviews the research progress in related fields, hoping to be helpful for the study of scleroderma.