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[Collagen diseases and gastrointestinal bleeding]

T Honma1, H Asakura

  • 1Third Department of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.

Insights

Collagen diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), often cause gastrointestinal bleeding due to blood-connective tissue involvement. This review clarifies causes like vasculitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, and infections in these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Context:

  • Collagen diseases characteristically affect blood-connective tissue, leading to varying degrees of gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Systemic vasculitis, previously ill-defined, now has established diagnostic criteria.
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding in collagen diseases stems from diverse causes including vasculitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, amyloidosis, NSAIDs, steroids, and immunosuppression-related infections.

Purpose:

  • To concisely describe the causes and clinical presentation of gastrointestinal bleeding in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic vasculitis.
  • To clarify the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with collagen diseases.

Summary:

  • Collagen diseases frequently manifest with gastrointestinal bleeding due to their impact on blood-connective tissue.
  • Key contributors to gastrointestinal bleeding in these conditions include systemic vasculitis, antiphospholipid syndrome, amyloidosis, medication side effects (NSAIDs, steroids), and secondary infections.
  • The review specifically addresses gastrointestinal bleeding in SLE, RA, and various systemic vasculitides.

Impact:

  • Enhances understanding of gastrointestinal bleeding as a complication of collagen diseases.
  • Aids clinicians in diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with rheumatologic and autoimmune conditions.
  • Highlights the importance of considering diverse etiologies beyond primary vasculitis.

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