The disease in CREST is called scleroderma. That is an unusual autoimmune disease of connective tissue. Connective tissue includes bone, ligaments and tendons, fat, cartilage and even blood.

The National Scleroderma Foundation has much more information, including information about support groups, at scleroderma.org. DEAR DR.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 76-year-old woman in good health, although I am overweight. I was recently diagnosed with CREST syndrome. I’m finding it difficult to learn more about this autoimmune disease.

DEAR READER: CREST syndrome is an acronym for complications arising from scleroderma, a chronic, autoimmune disease marked by scarring and other degenerative changes in many organs.

A 52-year-old woman with a history of connective tissue disease (CTD)–associated PAH, CREST scleroderma, interstitial lung disease, and ulcerative colitis presented with a chief complaint of ...

What is the latest research on scleroderma? Find out in this collection of recent MEDLINE abstracts compiled by the editors at Medscape Nurses.

Severe and life-threatening renal disease develops in approximately 10% to 15% of patients. [1] This form of renal involvement is termed scleroderma renal crisis and is characterized by: The acute ...

NORMAL —James A. “Jim” Steele, 59, Stoughton, Wis., formerly of Normal, lost a 25-year hard-fought battle with CREST (scleroderma) on Tuesday (Jan. 24, 2012) in Madison, Wis. He passed ...

A rheumatologist is the expert on diagnosis and treatment of the scleroderma group of diseases, although other experts can sometimes provide consultation.

Answer: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organs, far more than just the skin, which is what its former name, scleroderma, described. Most people with CREST ...