Gastrointestinal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is a serious complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of GI manifestations in SSc.


METHODS
We studied 73 patients with SSc (60 women and 13 men). Diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) was diagnosed in 30 patients and limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) in 43 patients. Upper GI involvement was assessed based on clinical symptoms such as dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux-related complications. The majority of patients underwent radiographic examination including a barium swallow. Lower GI involvement was evaluated on the basis of such clinical symptoms as constipation and diarrhea.


RESULTS
GI symptoms were observed in 54 (74%) SSc patients. Upper GI symptoms were observed in 54 (74%) patients and lower GI symptoms in 22 (30%) patients. The presence of anticentromere antibodies is associated with a lower risk of GI involvement. There are no significant differences in the incidence of pulmonary involvement between SSc patients with and without GI symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
GI involvement is observed in the majority of SSc patients. Clinical symptoms of GI involvement are significantly more common in patients with dcSSc. The incidence of upper GI symptoms is significantly higher than that of lower GI symptoms.
Wielosz
Ewa
E
Department of Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland. ewaw1973@op.pl
Borys
Olga
O
Zychowska
Iwona
I
Majdan
Maria
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D045745:Scleroderma, Limited / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C538950:anticentromere antibody