Symptoms and esophageal motility based on phenotypic findings of scleroderma
Diseases of the Esophagus, 05/17/2012
Tang DM et al. – This study highlights subgroups of patients with scleroderma esophagus according to phenotypic findings of dermatologic changes, Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Heartburn and dysphagia are important symptoms that may be associated with different stages of disease progression based on skin changes in scleroderma. RP was associated with greater esophageal dysmotility. Coughing and wheezing were more severe in patients with PF.
Methods- The study enrolled 28 patients (22 females; mean age 50.3 ± 12.8 years) with scleroderma esophagus.
- Patients without skin involvement (n= 12) reported more severe heartburn (P= 0.02), while those with cutaneous findings (n= 16) had more frequent dysphagia with solids (P= 0.02).
- Patients with RP (n= 22) had lower amplitude of distal esophageal contractions (P= 0.01) than those without RP (n= 6).
- Patients with PF (n= 11) reported more severe coughing and wheezing (both P= 0.03) than those without lung disease (n= 17).
