Historical perspective

Abstract

In addition to considering how long a distinct medical entity that we would recognize as scleroderma has been recognized, it is useful to place the diagnosis and classification of scleroderma in a historical context. It is clear that there was initially some reluctance to group together all forms of the disease that we would recognize today, and this is perhaps reflective of the advances that have occurred in imaging and laboratory investigation and a greater appreciation of the link between different organ-based manifestations. The milestones in the history of scleroderma bear testimony to the gradual realization of the heterogeneity of the disorder. For a more detailed discussion of the fascinating history of this disease the reader is referred to the excellent historical review by Rodnan, the "father" of modern-day clinical scleroderma [1].