Esophageal Motility in Scleroderma: “Classic” Findings Aren't Always Present

Only one third of patients with systemic scleroderma had classic esophageal manometric findings.

“Classic” esophageal manometric abnormalities in patients with systemic scleroderma (SS) are absent peristalsis in the distal esophagus and hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter pressure. However, there is underrecognized heterogeneity of manometric features in this population. Also, predictors of these patterns of dysmotility and their association with health-related quality of life are not well studied.

Researchers at a single center prospectively examined high-resolution manometry findings in 200 patients (85% women; median age, 54 years) with SS (diffuse in 42% and limited in 58%) and 102 patients without SS. As the findings for diffuse and limited SS were similar, data were combined for comparison with controls.

Absent contractility was…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors