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[Gastrointestinal involvement in progressive systemic scleroderma]
C Folwaczny1, U Rothfuss, R L Riepl
1Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Innenstadt, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, München.
Zeitschrift Fur Gastroenterologie
|November 1, 1995
Summary
Patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) experience gastrointestinal issues due to altered intestinal transit and hormone levels. PSS patients show accelerated gastric emptying and prolonged colonic transit, contributing to constipation.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Physiology
- Endocrinology
Context:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS).
- Potential causes include intestinal transit disturbances (ITD), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, bile acid malabsorption, and altered intestinal hormone kinetics.
- Understanding these GI dysfunctions is crucial for managing PSS patients.
Purpose:
- To investigate intestinal transit, bile acid absorption, and gut hormone profiles in PSS patients.
- To correlate physiological findings with reported GI symptoms like constipation.
Summary:
- Patients with PSS exhibited accelerated interdigestive gastric emptying and significantly prolonged colonic transit times compared to healthy controls.
- No significant malabsorption of primary bile acids was detected.
- Elevated serum levels of gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), and motilin were observed in PSS patients, potentially linked to gastric hypacidity and altered motor complex activity.
Impact:
- Prolonged colonic transit correlates with constipation in PSS.
- Altered gut hormone levels suggest compensatory mechanisms or underlying dysregulation in PSS GI pathophysiology.
- Findings provide insights into the complex GI disturbances in PSS, guiding potential therapeutic strategies.