Challenges in the management of peripheral capillary damage in patients with systemic sclerosis
Patients with systemic sclerosis may develop Raynaud’s syndrome, a phenomenon in which the circulation in the hands is impaired on exposure to cold. In most of cases, their circulations are often restored by soaking the affected hands in warm water. However, it is not unusual for patients with Raynaud syndrome to develop necrosis in the affected fingers or toes, which is not reversible.
Systemic sclerosis is presently considered to be an intractable condition. Efforts to elucidate its etiology are ongoing but require investment of considerable time, money, and manpower. Although we are confident that an effective treatment for systemic sclerosis will be found in the future, we need to find ways to relieve its symptoms in the meantime. Our research activities are presently focused on how we can alleviate intractable medical conditions with existing technologies and methods rather than on development or discovery of novel drugs. Such interventions are needed as can be made available now, which will be cost-effective and easy to obtain. Therefore, we are pursuing cost-effective easily accessible interventions that can be made available now. Our laboratory was established in 2018 as a joint venture between Osaka University and Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, a leading manufacturer of disposable heating pads. We have accumulated a wealth of promising results that could be of direct benefit to patients. We hope to be able to continue our research and develop further treatment strategies that are useful for patients.
Yoshihito Shima, M.D., Ph.D.
