Systemic sclerosis and the gastrointestinal tract

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by vascular and immune abnormalities.
• It leads to progressive fibrosis affecting the skin and internal organs, with significant morbidity.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement, particularly esophageal, is a common and serious complication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the key features of Systemic Sclerosis.
• To highlight the prevalence and impact of GI involvement in SSc.
• To discuss the current limitations in SSc treatment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of Systemic Sclerosis pathogenesis and clinical manifestations.
• Analysis of epidemiological data on SSc prevalence.
• Review of current therapeutic strategies for SSc and its complications.

Main Results:

• SSc affects approximately 20 per 100,000 individuals, presenting with diverse clinical courses.
• Raynaud's phenomenon is an early indicator, often preceding skin and organ sclerosis.
• Gastrointestinal tract involvement is a leading cause of morbidity in both limited and diffuse SSc subtypes.

Conclusions:

• Systemic Sclerosis is a complex autoimmune disease with significant impact on patient morbidity, primarily due to organ fibrosis.
• Gastrointestinal complications are highly prevalent and contribute substantially to the disease burden.
• There is a critical unmet need for disease-modifying therapies as current treatments remain largely symptomatic.