Fatigue is often a significant problem for a patient with scleroderma. This can significantly affect the patient's quality of life. A patient with moderate to severe scleroderma should be monitored for fatigue.
Fatigue tends to increase with the severity of the systemic disease.
Specific issues that may affect fatigue and which may be modifiable:
(1) hypothyroidism
(2) dyspnea associated with interstitial lung disease
(3) weakness from muscle involvement
(4) effects of medications
(5) depression
(6) pain
(7) deconditioning
Negative impacts:
(1) disability
(2) economics
(3) social and familial interactions
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