Clinical Medicine Insights: Gastroenterology (Jan 2009)
Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Scleroderma
Abstract
In this review, we analyze the effects of systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma on the gastrointestinal tract. There is a wide variation of gastrointestinal manifestations from these autoimmune disorders including but not limited to: oral ulcers, dysphagia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, fecal incontinence, pseudo-obstruction, perforation and gastrointestinal bleeding. The purpose of this review is to discuss these manifestations, the appropriate diagnostic tests, and treatment.