Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rheumatic autoimmune disease affecting several organ systems, for which there is still no effective treatment. In the early 2000s, clinical trials began to test autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) in patients with SSc.Based on the information collected over the years and following international guidelines and protocols, since the beginning of 2019, seven AHSCTs have already been performed in Estonia. The goal of transplantation is to stop the progression of the disease and to improve the patients’ quality of life. AHSCT carries a high risk of complications, but in carefully selected patients who meet all criteria, based on the results of both international studies and on the data for North Estonian Medical Centre’s patients, the treatment effect achieved by AHSCT is good and the occurrence of complications is minimal.