What type of disease is Scleroderma?

Scleroderma is classified as a connective tissue disease. It primarily affects the skin and connective tissues, leading to the hardening and tightening of these tissues. This autoimmune disorder results from an overproduction of collagen, which damages the blood vessels and organs over time. The recognition of scleroderma as a connective tissue disease is essential for understanding the mechanisms behind its symptoms and the implications for treatment and care. Those diagnosed with scleroderma often require a multidisciplinary approach to manage the various symptoms that may affect different systems in the body, including the skin, lungs, heart, and digestive system.

The other options indicate different types of diseases. An infectious disease typically refers to illnesses caused by pathogens, a chronic inflammatory disease involves long-lasting inflammation that often persists for months or years, and a viral disease is caused by specific types of viruses. Scleroderma does not fit these definitions, as it is not caused by an infection or a virus, nor is its primary characteristic inflammation in the traditional sense.