Treatment of Digital Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis

Digital ulcers are a serious complication occurring in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). This scenario addresses the management of patients with established SSc who develop digital ulcers — requiring targeted intervention directed at both healing active lesions and preventing new ones from forming.

Current evidence supports vasoactive pharmacological therapy — in particular, agents acting on the PDE5 pathway — as part of the approach to healing digital ulcers in SSc. Additional therapeutic options for prevention of new digital ulcers are also established within the full protocol. The complete agent selection, sequencing, and evidence-based algorithm are available in the structured regimen.

• Healing of digital ulcers
• Reduction in number of new digital ulcers