The Ghent University Scleroderma Unit, European League Against Rheumatism microcirculatory expert centre, will within this project as first ever evaluate the role of microcirculation in “very” early systemic sclerosis and morphea. It will also investigate whether the already published suggestion of stabilisation of microcirculation in patients with early diffuse cutaneous skin involvement after treatment with rituxan can be coroborrated translationally.