[Digestive localizations of scleroderma]

Systemic scleroderma involves the gastro-intestinal tract in over 50 p. 100 of cases, the commonest target organs being the oesophagus, the small intestine, the colon and the stomach in that order. The G-I symptoms of this collagenosis are all related to disorder of motility secondary to disturbances of innervation and then to atrophy of the smooth muscle and fibrous infiltration. Oesophageal involvement results in gastro-oesophageal reflux and/or dysphagia due to the lack of tonicity of the lower oesophageal sphincter and a reduction of peristalsis. Disease of the small intestine may cause pseudo-intestinal obstruction or a secondary malabsorption syndrome due to abnormal intraluminal bacterial flora. Colonic involvement causes severe constipation with formation of faecoliths. Finally, scleroderma may be complicated by an acute abdominal syndrome: occlusion due to diffuse reduction in small intestinal motility, peritonitis due to perforation of the small intestine, ileo-colonic infarction, gastro-intestinal haemorrhage complicating telangiectasia. Treatment is purely symptomatic: classical remedies for gastro-oesophageal reflux and its complications, and antibiotics for malabsorption syndromes.