Improvement of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) with estriol treatment

Abstract

Two female patients suffering from progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) of generalized type were treated with estriol for 10 months. Although complete cure was not achieved, considerable beneficial effects were observed in these patients, but no serious side effects. Thus, skin softening was observed on all involved parts of these patients, which was accompanied by increased mobility of large or medium-sized joints and improved pigmentation and cyanotic redness on fingers and extremities. However, no apparent improvement of internal organ involvement could be detected. Histopathologically, a drastic reduction of homogenization of collagen bundles in the dermis of affected forearms was seen in these patients following estriol treatment. To our knowledge this is the first report of estriol therapy for PSS.