Early gastrointestinal manifestations predict disease progression and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are common in systemic sclerosis (SSc), yet the value of early symptoms as predictors of progression remains poorly defined. We aimed to determine whether baseline GI symptoms in early SSc predict progression to significant GI outcomes.

We studied 450 participants from the GENISOS cohort with early SSc (≤5 years from first non-Raynaud's symptom). Baseline assessments included demographics and clinical variables, including individual GI symptoms (gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD], dysphagia, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, peptic ulcer). Significant GI involvement was defined as Medsger GI severity score ≥2. Cox models evaluated associations between baseline symptoms and progression to significant GI disease and all-cause mortality. Additional models examined total baseline GI symptom burden and outcomes.

Participants were predominantly female (84%) with a mean age of 47.7 (13.3) years. Baseline GI symptoms were frequent, most commonly GERD (76%) and dysphagia (41%). Thirteen per cent of the patients had significant GI involvement, with 4% presenting with significant GI disease at baseline. Baseline GERD (hazard ratio [HR] 4.15, P = 0.019) and diarrhoea (HR 2.25, P = 0.021) were strong predictors of GI progression. When symptom burden was analysed, each additional baseline GI symptom increased the hazard of significant GI progression by 53% (P = 0.003). On the other hand, peptic ulcer disease (HR 2.21, P = 0.007) and diarrhoea (HR 1.48, P = 0.045) predicted higher mortality, with each additional symptom raising mortality risk by 29% (P < 0.001).

Early GI symptoms and overall symptom burden predict GI progression and mortality in SSc. Symptom-based profiling may offer a practical strategy for clinical risk stratification and trial enrichment.