Systemic Sclerosis and the Gastrointestinal Tract—Clinical Approach

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disease characterized by functional and structural abnormalities of small blood vessels, fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, immune system activation, and autoimmunity. The gastrointestinal tract is involved in nearly all patients and is a source of significant morbidity and even mortality. The aim of this review is to summarize the pathogenesis and to provide a clinical approach to these patients.

Keywords

• Gastric antral vascular ectasia
• gastrointestinal tract involvement
• systemic sclerosis