Khon Kaen, Srinakarin Hospital, Khon Kaen University, reveals its success in treating scleroderma. With the first hematopoietic stem cell transplant method in the Northeast Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apichat Jirawuthipong, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, revealed that the progress of Srinakarin Hospital At present, the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, has made medical progress by applying and developing technology. To increase the efficiency of patient treatment which treats patients By transplanting hematopoietic stem cells It is a highly effective treatment method now and in the future. The patient is an 18-year-old female who was admitted for treatment in January 2022 and was referred for further treatment with a rheumatologist. Symptoms at the time of diagnosis showed that fibrosis had spread to the lungs. The skin is hard and tight. Therefore, treatment was planned by transplanting one's own blood stem cells. After 14 days of treatment, the patient's skin was found to be softer. A nd in the 3rd month, the joints were found to be better. Can easily stretch fingers, elbows, and arms. and the skin color clearly returned to normal The functioning of internal organs is constant. The patient's symptoms gradually improved. Be able to help yourself and return to normal daily life. In this case, scleroderma (Scleroderma) is a disease in which the immune system does not function properly. Stimulate body cells to produce fiber. Collagen is continuously released and stimulates the formation of fibrosis. As a result, fascia sticks to various organs of the body, causing tight, hard skin around the face, fingers, toes, arms, legs, chest, and abdomen. Hard skin doesn't only occur on external organs. But it also spreads to internal organs, such as pulmonary fibrosis. and the heart muscle is fibrotic. Which is dangerous and may cause disability and death. Scleroderma is mostly found in middle-aged and elderly people (around 40-50 years old) and is very rare in younger people. Throughout Thailand, patie nts with scleroderma were found at a rate of 24:100,000 people. In the northeastern region, patients with scleroderma were found at a rate of 40/100,000 people, from data collection from the Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. More patients with scleroderma are found in the northeastern and northern regions than in other regions. Source: Thai News Agency