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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
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Murine Endoscopy for In Vivo Multimodal Imaging of Carcinogenesis and Assessment of Intestinal Wound Healing and Inflammation
Published on: August 26, 2014
Early endoscopy in systemic sclerosis without gastrointestinal symptoms.
Rene Thonhofer1, Cornelia Siegel, Markus Trummer
1Deptartment of Internal Medicine, State Hospital Muerzzuschlag, Landeskrankenhaus Mürzzuschlag, Grazer Strasse 63-65, 8680 Mürzzuschlag, Austria. rene_thonhofer@hotmail.com
Rheumatology International
|August 17, 2010
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients often have early upper gastrointestinal tract issues, even without symptoms. Early upper endoscopy (OGD) is recommended for SSc diagnosis to detect inflammatory and motility disorders.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Rheumatology
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
- Gastrointestinal Motility and Inflammation
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) can affect the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
- Early GI involvement is often asymptomatic, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
- Understanding subclinical GI pathology is crucial for managing SSc and MCTD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early upper GI inflammatory and motility disorders in SSc and MCTD patients.
- To assess the utility of oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) in asymptomatic patients.
- To determine the prevalence of GI pathology in early-stage SSc and MCTD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of SSc and MCTD patients undergoing OGD within one year of diagnosis.
- Exclusion of patients with high Rodnan skin scores, PPI use, or harmful medications.
- Assessment of oesophageal mucosal damage (Los Angeles Classification) and dysmotility (OGD, video cineradiography).
Main Results:
- All 13 SSc patients showed significant upper GI pathology.
- High prevalence of reflux-oesophagitis (77%), oesophageal dysmotility (85%), gastritis (92%), and H. pylori (38%) in SSc.
- Minimal GI findings (0.6%) in the 6 MCTD patients.
Conclusions:
- Early OGD is recommended for SSc patients, even without GI symptoms.
- Detecting subclinical GI involvement can lead to timely therapeutic interventions.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of GI complications may improve SSc prognosis.
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