» Articles » PMID: 29123575

Systemic Sclerosis and the Gastrointestinal Tract

Overview
Publisher Termedia
Specialty Gastroenterology
Date 2017 Nov 11
PMID 29123575
Citations 6
Authors
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmunological disease of unknown origin with complex pathogenesis and multiple organ involvement. It is characterised by vascular and immunological abnormalities leading to fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. It is a rather rare disease with a prevalence of around 20 per 100,000. The disease results in heterogeneous clinical findings and different courses. Systemic sclerosis usually begins with the onset of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), followed by skin sclerosis and internal organ involvement, although it may appear synchronously with RP. Gastrointestinal involvement is a serious and prevalent complication of SSc, and the oesophagus is the most frequently affected organ. Both limited and diffuse cutaneous SSc involve internal organs, with the involvement of the gastrointestinal tract as a leading cause of morbidity. At present, treatment is mainly symptomatic with no disease-modifying drugs.

Citing Articles

Autoimmune Dysphagia Related to Rheumatologic Disorders: A Focused Review on Diagnosis and Treatment.

Shaik M, Shaik N, Mikdashi J Cureus. 2023; 15(7):e41883.

PMID: 37581141 PMC: 10423619. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41883.


Systemic Scleroderma-Definition, Clinical Picture and Laboratory Diagnostics.

Kowalska-Kepczynska A J Clin Med. 2022; 11(9).

PMID: 35566425 PMC: 9100749. DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092299.


Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in systemic sclerosis.

Morrisroe K, Baron M, Frech T, Nikpour M J Scleroderma Relat Disord. 2022; 5(1):33-39.

PMID: 35382403 PMC: 8922590. DOI: 10.1177/2397198319863953.


Refractory hemorrhagic esophageal ulcers by Candida esophagitis with advanced systemic sclerosis.

Natsui K, Tsuchiya A, Terai S JGH Open. 2020; 4(5):1007-1008.

PMID: 33102777 PMC: 7578314. DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12353.


The Role of Fecal Calprotectin in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

Polkowska-Pruszynska B, Gerkowicz A, Rawicz-Pruszynski K, Krasowska D Diagnostics (Basel). 2020; 10(8).

PMID: 32823752 PMC: 7459882. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10080587.


References
1.
Nishimagi E, Tochimoto A, Kawaguchi Y, Satoh T, Kuwana M, Takagi K . Characteristics of patients with early systemic sclerosis and severe gastrointestinal tract involvement. J Rheumatol. 2007; 34(10):2050-5. View

2.
Frech T, Khanna D, Maranian P, Frech E, Sawitzke A, Murtaugh M . Probiotics for the treatment of systemic sclerosis-associated gastrointestinal bloating/ distention. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2011; 29(2 Suppl 65):S22-5. View

3.
Hudson M, Lo E, Lu Y, Hercz D, Baron M, Steele R . Cigarette smoking in patients with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum. 2010; 63(1):230-8. DOI: 10.1002/art.30071. View

4.
Marie I, Ducrotte P, Antonietti M, Herve S, Levesque H . Watermelon stomach in systemic sclerosis: its incidence and management. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008; 28(4):412-21. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03739.x. View

5.
Ntoumazios S, Voulgari P, Potsis K, Koutis E, Tsifetaki N, Assimakopoulos D . Esophageal involvement in scleroderma: gastroesophageal reflux, the common problem. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2006; 36(3):173-81. DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2006.08.002. View