National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis


Other Names:
NSF; Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy; NFD
Categories:
Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a condition that affects different parts of the body, particularly the skin. Symptoms of the condition may include progressive swelling and tightening of the skin, sometimes resulting in contractures, and pruritis (itching).  The skin findings are similar to those seen in patients with scleroderma.  Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis was first described in 1997.[1] Being exposed to gadolinium-containing contrast agents during MRI testing has been identified as a significant risk factor for development of this disease.[2]
Last updated: 4/24/2013

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • The International Scleroderma Network (ISN) provides information on nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy since the skin symptoms of NFD are scleroderma-like.  Click on the ISN link to view the information.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Sweeney S, Cropley TG. Cutaneous Changes in Renal Disorders. In: Freedberg IM, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, Austen KF, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, eds. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. Vol 2. 6th ed. United States: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.; 2003: 1623..
  2. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. http://www.mayoclinic.org/nephrogenic-systemic-fibrosis/. Accessed 4/24/2013.