Journal of Gastrointestinal & Digestive System
Open Access

Abstract

Esophageal involvement in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is very frequent characterized by reduced lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and loss of distal esophageal body peristalsis leading to reflux of gastric contents in the distal esophagus and the consequent reflux esophagitis. The involvement of esophagus in morphea (localized scleroderma) has been studied very scarcely. This study was carried out to investigate and compare the clinical, endoscopic, manometric and pH-metric features of esophageal involvement in Systemic Sclerosis and Morphea. Fifty six and 31 newly and already diagnosed cases of SSc and morphea respectively were taken up for the study. All the patients were inquired about dyspeptic symptoms. Endoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24-hour PH study were done in 52, 47 and 41 patients of SSc; and 28, 25 and 20 patients of morphea. Symptoms were present in 39 cases (69.6%) of SSc which were mild in 22 (39.3%), moderate in 14 (25%), severe in three (5.3%); and only in four cases (7.1%) of morphea all of which were mild in severity. Reflux esophagitis was seen in 17 cases (32.7%) of SSc and Only two cases (7.14%) of morphea. Manometry revealed abnormalities in 32 cases (68.1%) of SSc and none in morphea. Ambulatory 24-hour esophageal PH documented reflux in 33 cases (80.5%) of SSc and no such abnormality in morphea. The authors concluded while the esophageal involvement is frequent in SSc, no such motility disorder is seen in morphea.Routine upper gastrointestinal tract evaluation is justified only in SSc and not in morphea patients.

Biography

TasleemArif has completed his MD in Dermatology, STDs and Leprosy from Govt Medical College Srinagar, University of Kashmir. He has 26 publications in the basket of which 25 are in international journals. He is an editorial board member of Our Dermatology Online journal which is an international journal. His thrust area is Scleroderma. Presently he is Senior Resident at Postgraduate department of dermatology, JNMCH, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), India.