Malnutrition in systemic sclerosis

Nutritional disorders and nutrition-related conditions: an underestimated clinical problem in systemic sclerosis

Nutritional disorders are significant but often underestimated complications in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The most prevalent nutritional disorders in SSc are malnutrition, affecting up to 62.5% of patients, and sarcopenia, with a frequency of up to 42%. Thus, clinical vigilance is recommended for the detection of eating disorders in SSc patients, particularly those with gastrointestinal involvement, cardiopulmonary complications, an advanced disease stage, and high disease activity. Nutritional treatment should be carefully tailored to the patients' clinical condition to ensure that it effectively addresses their specific needs. Studies focusing on enteral nutrition in SSc patients demonstrate its effectiveness in stabilizing or improving nutritional status in malnourished patients. In severe cases, parenteral nutrition offers viable options to support patient health. The findings highlight the importance of early nutritional assessment and intervention in improving patient outcomes and suggest that individualized nutritional therapy can be a critical component of comprehensive care for SSc patients.

Views of nutrition needs in patients with systemic sclerosis

Background and aims

Systemic sclerosis is a debilitating inflammatory condition synonymous with gastrointestinal symptoms which have the potential to impact dietary intake and nutritional status. This study aimed to describe symptoms experienced by patients with systemic sclerosis that may impact on dietary intake and assess nutrition education preferences in this cohort.

Methods

A 24-item online qualitative and quantitative survey distributed via REDCap® was conducted in adult patients (aged ⩾18 years) living with systemic sclerosis and attending outpatient services at a single healthcare setting from January to March 2022. Data were collected on demographics, symptoms that may impact dietary intake, nutrition priorities and preferred nutrition education models. Data are mean ± standard deviation or number (%).

Results

Of 322 eligible patients, 156 (48%) participated (63 ± 12 years, 86% female, body mass index 27 ± 7 kg/m2). Most patients experienced gastrointestinal conditions (n = 123/155; 79%), which occurred daily in 26% (n = 40/155) of patients. A third of patients (n = 48/156; 31%) reported diet manipulation for symptom management. Recent weight loss was common (n = 36/154; 23% of patients). Less than a third of patients had seen a dietitian (n = 45; 29%), while 69% of patients (n = 107) desired dietetic consultancy. The preferred methods of consultation were written resources and face-to-face, respectively, and systemic sclerosis symptom management (n = 100; 64%) and losing weight (n = 53; 34%) were the most desired education topics reported.

Conclusion

Gastrointestinal conditions are common and occur frequently in patients with systemic sclerosis. Patients want to engage with dietetics services to better manage symptoms via face-to-face consultations and written resources. These results will inform future dietetic service delivery.

Reciprocal effects of scleroderma and temporomandibular dysfunction between patient cohorts

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of temporomandibular dysfunction in scleroderma patients according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and to correlate it with disease variables.

METHODS

Temporomandibular dysfunction was evaluated in 75 scleroderma patients and 74 healthy controls using DC/TMD. Gastrointestinal symptoms were evaluated through the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score in scleroderma patients.

RESULTS

There was no difference of prevalence in temporomandibular dysfunction [30 (40%) vs 30 (40.5%); p > 00.05] between scleroderma patients and healthy controls. Scleroderma patients had a significant reduction in all oral movements compared to healthy controls. Scleroderma patients with temporomandibular dysfunction had a statistically higher score in the UCLA distention/bloating item [1.75 (0.5-2.38) vs 0.75 (0.25-1.75); p < 0.05] than scleroderma patients without temporomandibular dysfunction.

DISCUSSION

Temporomandibular dysfunction prevalence between scleroderma patients and healthy controls is similar. In scleroderma patients, temporomandibular dysfunction reduces oral mobility and opening, which worsens distension/bloating.

High-Protein Nutritional Supplements Improve Nutritional Status in Malnourished Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

(1) Background: Impaired nutritional status in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is prevalent. (2) Objective: This study aimed to identify pre-cachexia and malnutrition in SSc patients and to estimate the effectiveness of a high-protein oral nutritional supplement (ONS) in improving their nutritional status. (3) Materials and methods: The SSc population comprised 56 patients and a control group of 49 healthy persons. After a baseline clinical evaluation, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and laboratory tests, SSc patients were divided into well-nourished, pre-cachectic, and malnourished categories. SSc patients with a nutritional disbalance received a high-protein ONS once daily for 3 months. Patients were reassessed at 3 and 12 months after inclusion in the study. (4) Results: SSc patients, in comparison to the control group, had a significantly lower seven-point SGA value [6(0) vs. 7(1), p < 0.001)], lean tissue mass [LTM, 35.1 (10.5) vs. 40.1 (10.10), p = 0.008], and lean tissue index [LTI, 13.5 (3) vs. 14.9 (4), p = 0.009]. Of the 56 SSc patients, 40 (71.4%) were well nourished, 5 (8.9%) had pre-cachexia, and 11 (19.7%) were malnourished. A high-protein ONS in the pre-cachexia group stabilized the SGA value, anthropometric measurements, and BIA after 3 and 12 months. In malnourished patients, it significantly improved the SGA value [5(0) vs. 6(0), p = 0.002], LTI [12.1 (2.1) vs. 12.7 (3.2), p = 0.021] and LTM [31.1 (7.7) vs. 35.1 (9.1), p = 0.021], and that effect remained stable at 12 months. (5) Conclusion: Malnutrition is a common complication of SSc that can be improved with nutritional intervention.

Assessing the quality of forced vital capacity measurement in patients with systemic sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Forced vital capacity (FVC) is an important tool for monitoring lung functions in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, several disease manifestations may influence the quality of FVC test in SSc. We aimed to assess the quality of FVC measurements according to current guidelines in patients with SSc and determine the factors that may affect results.

METHOD

In this cross-sectional study, SSc patients and age/sex matched controls underwent spirometry. Quality of FVC measurements were graded according to updated American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines. Demographics, clinical features and parameters that may affect FVC test quality were compared between SSc patients with high and low quality FVC test.

RESULTS

98 SSc patients (90 female) and 100 controls were included. The rate of high quality FVC measurement in SSc patients was significantly lower in SSc patients compared to controls. (80 % vs 60.2 % p = 0.002). Among SSc patients; diffuse disease, ILD, anti-topoisomerase 1 antibody positivity, immunosuppressive use, flexion contractures of hands, reduced mouth opening and decreased chest expansion were more frequent in patients with low quality FVC (p < 0.05 for all). Patients with muscle weakness and medium/high risk of malnutrition were also numerically higher in low quality FVC group. Presence of more than one condition that may affect FVC quality was significantly higher among patients with low quality FVC.

CONCLUSION

A significant percent of SSc patients had low quality FVC measurement. Physicians should be aware of this point while interpreting FVC test results especially in SSc patients with more than one condition that may affect the quality of the test.

Nutritional aspects in autoimmune diseases undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: overview and recommendations on behalf of the EBMT ADWP and Nurses Group

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) represent a heterogeneous group of conditions affecting 5-10% of the global population. In recent decades, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), mainly autologous, has been successfully adopted to treat patients affected by severe/refractory ADs. In this context malnutrition has a detrimental impact on relapse, mortality, infection rate, engraftment, long-term survival, and prolongation of hospitalization. However, in this population, the management of nutrition should be improved since nutritional assessment is partially performed in routine clinical practice. A panel of nurses and physicians from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) reviewed all available evidence based on current literature and expert practices from centers with extensive experience in HSCT for ADs, on the nutritional management of ADs patients during HSCT procedure. In this context, adequate nutritional status predicts a better response to treatment and improves quality of life. Herein, a systematic and comprehensive monitoring of nutritional status before, during and after HSCT, with adequate nutritional support in the case of ADs patients, in addition to assessing the dietary requirements associated with HSCT has been covered. Moreover, given the singularity of each AD, the underlying disease should be considered for an appropriate approach. The management and evaluation of nutritional status must be carried out by a multidisciplinary team to assess the needs, monitor the effectiveness of each intervention, and prevent complications, especially in complex situations as patients affected by ADs.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Italian Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: An Epidemiologic Survey

OBJECTIVE

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan disease that can lead to severe involvement of the gastrointestinal tract with a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). The Mediterranean diet (MD) was consistently demonstrated to have beneficial effects on chronic diseases based on biological bases. We aimed to evaluate the adherence to the MD of Italian patients with SSc to preliminarily assess its association with gastrointestinal symptoms and other disease features, mood, and QoL.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, adherence to the MD was measured in 387 patients from four SSc Italian referral centers through the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (14-MEDAS) questionnaire. We also registered patients' reported outcomes related to the QoL and mood.

RESULTS

Overall, an optimal adherence to MD was observed in 14.7% of patients with SSc, a moderate adherence in 71.3%, and a low adherence in 14.0%. In univariate analysis, poor adherence to the MD was associated with a more prominent depressive mood, time missed at work, and perception of more severe Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers, whereas the 14-MEDAS score inversely correlated with depression score and reflux.

CONCLUSION

In our cohort of patients with SSc, overall adherence to MD was moderate. Patients with lower adherence to MD also reported worse outcomes related to QoL and mood. Administration of the 14-MEDAS could be a reasonable choice to assess adherence to the MD in patients with SSc. Future initiatives to study the role of MD in the management of patients with SSc are warranted.

High prevalence of malnutrition in systemic sclerosis: Results from a French monocentric cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) can cause malnutrition due to frequent gastrointestinal involvement. However, prevalence of malnutrition in SSc is poorly known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition in SSc and its potential associations with disease features in patients from a tertiary referral center.

METHODS

All patients meeting American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology criteria for SSc followed between January 1, 1985, and January 1, 2019, at the Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Eloi University Hospital, were included. Malnutrition was assessed using the 2020 French recommendations for SSc and the malnutrition universal screening tool score. Severe malnutrition was defined via the French Haute Autorité de Santé (National Health Authority) 2007 criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 120 patients were included, with mean age 64 (± 15) y and a female-to-male sex ratio of 5:1. According to 2020 French recommendations, 71 patients (59.2%) were malnourished and 30 (25%) had at least one criterion of severe malnutrition. With the malnutrition universal screening tool score, 41.7%, 20%, and 38.3%, respectively, had low, medium, and high risk of malnutrition. Multivariate analysis revealed the following results: 1) malnutrition was associated with cardiac involvement (P < 0.01); 2) a high malnutrition universal screening tool score was also associated with specific cardiac involvement (P < 0.01); and 3) severe malnutrition was strongly correlated with interincisal distance <35 mm (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition affects more than half of SSc patients and is associated with specific cardiac involvement. Interincisal distance <35 mm could be a red flag for severe malnutrition in SSc.

GLIM-diagnosed malnutrition predicts mortality and risk of hospitalization in systemic sclerosis: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is a well-known risk factor for morbidity and mortality in many clinical settings and only few studies assessed the role of malnutrition on systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients' outcomes. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the role of malnutrition as a predictive risk factor for mortality and/or hospitalization in SSc patients during a 4-year follow-up.

METHODS

One hundred and one SSc patients were included in the study. Biochemical analyses, disease activity index, disease severity scale and anthropometric data were recorded at enrollment. Malnutrition was assessed by the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria.

RESULTS

Malnutrition according to GLIM criteria was found in 22 patients (21.8%). During a 4-year follow-up, 20 (19.8%) SSc patients died or were hospitalized for all causes and 11 of them (55.0%) were malnourished. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that event free-survival for composite end-point of mortality and risk of hospitalization was significantly shorter in malnourished than in non-malnourished patients (p<0.001). The survival probability at 4 years was 0.885 (95% CI=0.818-0.959) in the non-malnourished group and 0.500 (95% CI=0.329-0.759) in the malnourished group (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, malnutrition [HR=4.380 (95% CI=1.706-11.243), p = 0.002] was the most significant predictive risk factor for the composite end-point. Also, female gender [HR=0.157 (95% CI=0.055-0.449), p<0.001], age [HR=1.0450 (95% CI=1.011-1.090), p = 0.012] and disease severity scale [HR=1.269 (95% CI=1.089-1.479), p = 0.002] were predictive factors for the composite end-point.

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition according to GLIM criteria represents a significant predictive risk factor for composite end-point of mortality and risk of hospitalization in SSc patients.

A survey of Australian rheumatologists' perspectives of nutrition needs in systemic sclerosis

Aim

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is an incurable inflammatory condition synonymous with unique nutrition needs. As rheumatologists are frequently responsible for managing the various organ manifestations, this study aimed to understand the service needs and nutritional concerns of rheumatologists involved in the care of adults with systemic sclerosis.

Methods

A 13-item online qualitative and quantitative survey was distributed via REDCap® from January to March 2022 to rheumatologists who are members of the Australian Scleroderma Interest Group and consult patients with systemic sclerosis. Data were collected on rheumatologists' demographics, and their views on symptoms observed, nutrition concerns and priorities, and preferred dietetic service provision for their patients. Data are reported as number (%).

Results

Of 27 eligible rheumatologists, 17 (63%) completed the survey. All rheumatologists reported gastrointestinal symptoms in their patients (n = 17, 100%); predominantly reflux (n = 17, 100%) and dysphagia (n = 17, 100%). Weight loss was observed by the majority of rheumatologists (n = 15, 88%). Rheumatologists reported patients used food avoidance/special diets to manage symptoms (n = 12, 71%). Dietetic consultation was reported as potentially beneficial by all rheumatologists, with the preferred time being when symptoms increase or change (n = 15, 88%), and the preferred approaches being written resources (n = 15, 88%), face-to-face (n = 14, 82%) and telephone consultation (n = 14, 82%). Advice on gaining weight (n = 14, 82%) and systemic sclerosis symptom management (n = 13, 77%) were the most desired education topics reported.

Conclusion

Rheumatologists commonly observe gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis and report dietetics services would be advantageous in supporting their patients to gain weight and better manage their symptoms.

Preventative Care in Scleroderma: What Is the Best Approach to Bone Health and Cancer Screening?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis, vasculopathy, and autoimmunity. Lesser known complications inherent to SSc, such as malignancies and osteoporosis, can lead to decreased quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. Patients with SSc have a greater risk of developing malignancies than the general population. In addition, they are more likely to be vitamin D deficient and are at great risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. However, these complications can be addressed through preventative measures. The purpose of this review is to provide clinicians with an approach to bone health and cancer screening in SSc.

Phase angle, nutritional status, and mortality in systemic sclerosis: An exploratory pilot study

OBJECTIVES

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by microvascular damage and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Among SSc complications, changes in nutritional status have a negative effect on quality of life and predispose patients to malnutrition. The aim of this exploratory pilot study was to examine whether bioelectrical impedance analysis-derived phase angle (PhA) is a parameter of nutritional status and a marker of mortality in patients with SSc.

METHODS

Consecutive adult patients with SSc were included in the study. Biochemical analyses, anthropometric data, and bioelectrical impedance analysis assessments were recorded at the time of enrollment. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) were applied to assess nutritional status.

RESULTS

A total of 104 patients with SSc (88 women; median age: 55 y [interquartile range (IQR), 45.5- 66 y]) were enrolled. In patients with SSc and high malnutrition risk according to MUST, mean values of PhA were significantly lower than those of patients with SSc and low malnutrition risk (4° [IQR, 3.7°-4.4°] vs 4.6° [IQR, 4.2°-5.1°]; P = 0.004). Patients with SSc and malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria showed significantly lower PhA than patients with SSc but without malnutrition (3.8° [IQR, 3.5°-4.3°] vs 4.6° [IQR, 4.2°-5.1°]; P < 0.0001). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that overall survival was significantly shorter (34.57 mo [±13.35] vs 48 mo [±0]; P = 0.001) in patients with SSc and PhA <3.75°. In the multivariate analysis, only PhA was a predictive factor for death (hazard ratio: 0.283; 95% confidence interval, 0.083-0.965; P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

The data obtained suggest that lower PhA values in patients with SSc are associated with an increased malnutrition risk with MUST, malnutrition with GLIM, and increased mortality. Additional studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary results.

Systemic sclerosis gastrointestinal dysmotility: risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management

Nearly all patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are negatively affected by dysfunction in the gastrointestinal tract, and the severity of gastrointestinal disease in SSc correlates with high mortality. The clinical complications of this dysfunction are heterogeneous and include gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, gastroparesis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, malabsorption and the requirement for total parenteral nutrition. The abnormal gastrointestinal physiology that promotes the clinical manifestations of SSc gastrointestinal disease throughout the gastrointestinal tract are diverse and present a range of therapeutic targets. Furthermore, the armamentarium of medications and non-pharmacological interventions that can benefit affected patients has substantially expanded in the past 10 years, and research is increasingly focused in this area. Here, we review the details of the gastrointestinal complications in SSc, tie physiological abnormalities to clinical manifestations, detail the roles of standard and novel therapies and lay a foundation for future investigative work.

Expanding the Treatment Team

The optimal systemic sclerosis (SSc) care plan includes an occupational therapist and physical therapist as well as wound care experts and a registered dietitian if indicated. Screening instruments for functional and work disability, hand and mouth limitations, malnutrition, and dietary intake can identify the need for ancillary support services. Telemedicine can assist in developing effective ancillary treatment plans. Reimbursement for services may limit access for patients with SSc to expand their care team but a focus on prevention rather than management of damage is recognized as an important unmet need in SSc. In this review, the role of a comprehensive care team for SSc is discussed.

Long-term home parenteral nutrition in systemic sclerosis-related intestinal failure is feasible but unveils occult cardiac disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of long-term home parenteral nutrition between patients with systemic sclerosis and intestinal failure (IF) and controls with IF from another etiology.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in a referral center for systemic sclerosis (SSc) in Montpellier, France. Patients followed between 1985 and 2020 with SSc-related IF were included and compared with control patients with IF from another etiology. The patients included had to be treated for ≥4 wk by home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Primary outcome was occurrence of HPN-related complications. Secondary outcomes included duration of parenteral nutrition, body mass index at 12 mo, and survival.

RESULTS

Cumulative duration of HPN was 23 397 catheter days. HPN resulted in body mass index increase in both groups. There was no statistical difference regarding catheter-related bloodstream infections and thrombosis between the groups, despite use of immunosuppressive drugs and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with SSc. However, the patients with SSc had significantly more HPN-related cardiac overload than the controls (P < 0.0001). Overloads occurred in SSc patients with and without cardiac disease, arguing for comprehensive hemodynamic screening in this condition.

CONCLUSION

Long-term HPN in SSc-related IF is feasible but unveils occult cardiac disease.

Micronutrient Deficiencies in Systemic Sclerosis: A Scoping Review

Purpose

The primary aim is to identify the micronutrient deficiencies commonly reported in SSc. The exploratory aim is to evaluate associations between micronutrient deficiencies and SSc clinical manifestations.

Patient and Methods

We conducted a scoping review of all published reports on SSc and nutrition in PubMed from its inception to August 2020. Clinical trials, observational studies, meta-analyses, and case series (with ≥20 cases) containing data on nutritional deficiency and SSc were included. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) for reporting our findings. Two reviewers (ADN and ERV) studied the titles and abstracts of all search results with pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

Among 790 retrieved publications, 35 full-length articles and 3 abstracts met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Included studies took place across multiple geographic locations and included patients with both diffuse and limited cutaneous SSc. Vitamin D deficiency was the most commonly reported deficiency described in SSc, followed by vitamin B12, vitamin B9, selenium, zinc, and iron. In addition, some small studies found deficiencies in vitamins B1, B6, C, E, and A. While some studies reported associations between specific micronutrient deficiencies and SSc disease features (eg, interstitial lung disease was commonly associated with vitamin D deficiency and elevated homocysteine [Hcy]), the evidence to support these associations was not robust.

Conclusion

Micronutrient deficiencies are common in SSc and are associated with specific SSc features. Routine screening for micronutrient deficiencies may lead to early detection of malnutrition. Future studies are needed to understand how interventions to replete micronutrient deficiencies affect patient outcomes in SSc.

The need to accurately measure energy intake and expenditure in patients with systemic sclerosis

Background

Malnutrition is common in systemic sclerosis and patients are frequently underweight. However, the balance between assessed dietary energy intake versus expenditure has been neglected to date. This study aimed to assess energy (dietary) intakes and expenditures and to compare discrepancies in systemic sclerosis.

Methods

Thirty-six outpatients with systemic sclerosis completed the study. Demographics and clinical data were recorded. Functional questionnaires were completed. Predicted energy requirements were calculated. Over a consecutive 3-day period, patients completed an estimated food diary and wore a specialist energy expenditure monitor (SenseWear® Armband). Assessments of intake and expenditure were compared for individual patients, and the impact according to patient demographics, clinical manifestations and disease severity evaluated.

Results

Energy intake did not correlate with predicted (s = 0.117; p = 0.511) or measured (s = -0.039; p = 0.825) expenditures. Predicted and measured energy expenditures correlated, but actual values differed for individuals (intraclass correlation = 0.62; 95% limits of agreement = -459 to 751 kcal). Respiratory involvement was negatively correlated with number of steps (s = -0.350; p = 0.04) and time spent lying (s = 0.333; p = 0.05). There was a significant correlation between body mass index and predicted versus measured energy discrepancy (s = 0.41; p = 0.02), and this discrepancy was greater with higher body mass indices.

Conclusion

There was no correlation between intake and either predicted or measured energy expenditure. Predicted and measured energy expenditures were strongly correlated yet differed for the individual patient. In patients with systemic sclerosis, where energy expenditure must be accurately assessed, it should be directly measured.

The Role of the Multidisciplinary Health Care Team in the Management of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease characterised by immune dysfunction, vascular damage and fibrosis affecting the skin and multiple internal organs. The clinical spectrum of SSc is wide and its manifestations may lead to severe morbidity and mortality, in addition to a great impact on patients' quality of life. Due to the multifaceted clinical manifestations of SSc, its management requires a combined expertise of different medical specialists to guarantee an adequate disease control and prevent organ complications. Multi-disciplinary teams (MDT), which are composed by physicians and other specialized health professionals, represent therefore a key element for the comprehensive management of SSc patients. Moreover, MTD can improve communication and patients' empowerment while the presence of dedicated nurses can help patients to ask questions about their condition. The scope of this narrative review is to analyse the available evidences regarding the role of MDT in the management of SSc patients, and how this holistic approach may improve different disease domains and the overall prognosis. MDT regarding the cardiovascular and lung complication are the more represented in literature, given the great impact in prognosis. Nonetheless, MDT have been shown to be fundamental also in other disease domains as they can intercept early manifestations, thus stratifying patients based on the individual risks in order to personalize patients' follow-up. MDTs may also minimize the treatment delay, enabling fast-track specialist referral. On the other hand, there are few trials specifically studying MDT in SSc and several authors have highlight the lack of standardization.

Advances in the Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis

Although systemic sclerosis (SSc) is currently incurable, there have been recent advances in treatment. This review article begins by providing a brief background to SSc in terms of disease subtyping and autoantibodies, because both predict disease trajectory and help clinicians to select appropriate monitoring and treatment protocols. Broad principles of management are then described: ‘disease-modifying’ therapies and therapies directed at reducing disease burden and/or progression of SSc-related digital vascular disease and of internal organ involvement. Next, advances in the management of digital vasculopathy, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), interstitial lung disease (ILD) and early diffuse cutaneous SSc are discussed in turn, for example: (a) increased use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists for digital vasculopathy; (b) early recognition and treatment of PAH, including with combination therapies; (c) increased use of mycophenolate mofetil and of nintedanib in ILD; and (d) immunosuppression now as standard practice in early diffuse cutaneous SSc, and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for highly selected patients with progressive diffuse disease. Finally, future challenges are discussed, including ensuring that all patients with SSc are monitored and treated according to best practice guidelines, and whenever possible giving patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials.

Esophageal Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis: An Update

Esophageal motility disorders are prevalent in 90% of patients with systemic sclerosis [scleroderma (SSc)], with an increased mortality rate in patients with severe esophageal involvement. Esophageal smooth muscle damage caused by ischemia, nerve damage, and inflammatory factors may be responsible for discomfort and various complications in these patients. The clinical manifestations are diverse. Most hospitals still use traditional esophageal manometry and 24-h pH monitoring to diagnose esophageal function in patients with SSc. The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of SSc-related esophageal motility disorders and related research progress, including the pathogenesis and clinical features of these disorders and the progress made in endoscopic diagnosis. We also discuss the possible pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

Diet in Scleroderma: Is There a Need for Intervention?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients exhibit a plethora of risk factors for nutritional decline, including the presence of chronic inflammation and the progressive nature of disease-related multisystem involvement. The prevalence and consequences of nutritional decline in scleroderma are frequently underestimated, its management currently remaining a subject of debate. The main objective of the present study was to perform a detailed assessment of scleroderma patients' diet as well as their eating habits and to describe the relationships with weight loss and malnutrition risk in the absence of professional nutritional counseling.

METHODS

We used a translated and validated version of the EPIC-Norfolk FFQ (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Norfolk Food Frequency Questionnaire) to evaluate the patients' diet and MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) to investigate the risk of malnutrition. Disease activity was estimated using the EUSTAR-AI (European Scleroderma Trials and Research group Activity Index).

RESULTS

We included 69 patients with SSc, of which 42 underwent a detailed dietary assessment. Dietary factors were connected to body composition and digestive symptoms. We found high sodium intake and frequent suboptimal energy consumption in our study group, including patients with cardiopulmonary involvement. Liver transaminases were inversely correlated with the consumption of nuts and seeds. Malnutrition and weight loss were significantly associated with pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, albumin levels, and the extent of skin fibrosis, but not advanced age. Although the patients with EUSTAR-AI ≥ 2.5 were more frequently included in the moderate and high malnutrition risk categories, these results did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, there is an unmet need for longitudinal and interventional research focusing on the long-term significance, ramifications, and management of nutritional impairment in SSc patients with various clinical manifestations. Our results indicate that scleroderma patients could benefit from personalized nutritional counseling in an interdisciplinary setting.

Lung Transplantation in Systemic Sclerosis: a Practice Survey of United States Lung Transplant Centers

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Lung transplantation in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) can be complicated by extrapulmonary manifestations of the disease, leading to concerns regarding posttransplant complications and outcomes.

ISHLT consensus document on lung transplantation in patients with connective tissue disease: Part III: Pharmacology, medical and surgical management of post-transplant extrapulmonary conditions statements

Patients with connective tissues disease (CTD) are often on immunomodulatory agents before lung transplantation (LTx). Till now, there's no consensus on the safety of using these agents perioperative and post-transplant. The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation-supported consensus document on LTx in patients with CTD addresses the risk and contraindications of perioperative and post-transplant management of the biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD), kinase inhibitor DMARD, and biologic agents used for LTx candidates with underlying CTD, and the recommendations and management of non-gastrointestinal extrapulmonary manifestations, and esophageal disorders by medical and surgical approaches for CTD transplant recipients.

Nutritional status and predictors of weight loss in patients with systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) commonly affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and predisposes to malnutrition. Few studies assessed body composition in outpatients with SSc or used more than one method for comparison over time. The aim of this study was to describe markers of nutrition and body composition in patients with SSc and to identify predictors of unintentional weight loss.

METHODS

We consecutively included outpatients with SSc and performed a one-year follow-up. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement was evaluated from clinical investigations. Patients completed questionnaires for organ involvement and functional status. Clinical assessment included body mass index (BMI), the malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST), inter-incisor distance, anthropometry, and bio-electrical impedance analysis (BIA).

RESULTS

In total, 168 consecutive patients with SSc were included, and 127 (76%) completed one-year follow-up. Thirteen (8%) died before follow-up. Based on MUST scores, 12% of patients were at high and 14% at medium risk of malnutrition. A low BMI was associated with small intestinal involvement (p < 0.0001). Percentage body fat correlated with BMI, both when using four-site anthropometry (r = 0.65, p < 0.01) and BIA (r = 0.49, p < 0.01). Nine (7%) patients had >5% unintentional weight loss at follow-up. Independent baseline predictors of unintentional weight loss included upper GI involvement and disease severity estimated by Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index score.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional risk and GI involvement are frequent and closely correlated in patients with SSc. BIA and four-site anthropometry are comparable in the clinical assessment of patients with SSc. Unintentional weight loss is discrete and related to disease-specific characteristics.

Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis for Nutritional Status Assessment in Systemic Sclerosis and Association With Disease Characteristics

OBJECTIVE

To use bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in a cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in order to assess their nutritional status in comparison to other groups of patients and to find any correlation with clinical characteristics and outcome of the disease.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from 50 SSc patients who underwent BIVA for clinical suspicion of malnutrition and compared them with patients affected by other chronic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (OCAD, n = 27) and those who were only symptomatic of malnutrition but without autoimmune features (n = 15), and with 50 healthy controls (HC).

RESULTS

Patients with SSc presented significantly lower values of phase angle (PhA), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and body cellular mass (BCM), and an increase in extracellular water (ECW; P < 0.01 for all) than HC; instead, there were no significant differences for BMI. No significant differences were found between SSc and OCAD. Among patients with SSc, age directly correlated with ECW (ρ = 0.342, P = 0.015) and inversely with PhA (ρ = -0.366, P = 0.009). Female sex, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, reflux, and early satiety/abdominal distension associated with relevant alterations in BIVA results. BIVA variables were significantly different when cardiopulmonary and microvascular involvement was present. Four patients died during the study: they had significantly (P ≤ 0.01) lower PhA, BMR, and BCM, with an increased ECW.

CONCLUSION

BIVA, unlike BMI, allowed an accurate characterization of SSc patients at risk of malnutrition, correlating with serological malnutrition markers, with SSc-specific organ manifestations (cardiopulmonary involvement and microvascular damage), and with mortality. BIVA variables might represent a surrogate marker of damage accrual that leads to malnutrition, thus playing a leading role in the prognostic stratification of SSc patients.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Events Among Incident Cases of Systemic Sclerosis: Results From a Population-Based Cohort (1980-2016)

OBJECTIVE

To characterize cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and outcomes among incident cases of systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with SSc diagnosed in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 2016, were reviewed to identify 78 incident SSc cases. The comparators were 156 sex- and age-matched individuals from the same population. Data for SSc characteristics, traditional CV risk factors, and CV events were collected. Cumulative incidence was adjusted for the competing risk for death.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 9.8 (SSc) and 9.2 years (non-SSc), 21 patients with SSc and 17 patients without SSc developed CV events, corresponding to 10-year cumulative incidence of 24.4% and 15.2%, respectively. The risk for incident CV disease was increased by 2-fold (hazard ratio, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.28-4.43) in patients with SSc vs comparators, predominately due to coronary artery disease (hazard ratio, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.17-4.71). Mean body mass index and prevalence of diabetes mellitus were lower in SSc vs non-SSc. There was no significant difference in smoking, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia. Observed CV events were increased compared with CV events predicted by the Framingham Risk Score and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association score with standardized incident ratios of 4.16 (95% CI, 2.16-7.99) and 5.69 (95% CI, 2.71-11.94), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Patients with SSc are at >2-fold increased risk for experiencing a CV event compared with persons without SSc. Framingham Risk Score and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association score dramatically underestimate CV risk in SSc.

Evaluation of Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Associated Factors in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) gastrointestinal (GI) involvement, nutritional status and medications may lead to cobalamin (Vit B12) deficiency. We aimed to determine the frequency and the potential causes of Vit B12 deficiency in SSc patients.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 62 SSc patients in a single center in 1 year period. Medical history and physical examination of patients were reevaluated. Data about organ involvements were obtained from hospital file records. The nutritional status of the patients was assessed with Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Vit B12, homocysteine (except in three patients) and Helicobacter Pylori Immunoglobulin G (H. Pylori IgG) levels were measured in all patients. Vit B12 deficiency was considered as serum Vit B12 level <200 pg/mL or being on Vit B12 replacement therapy. Serum Vit B12 levels of the patients were also grouped as low (<200 pg/mL), borderline (200-300 pg/mL) and normal (>300 pg/mL). Plasma homocysteine levels of the patients were classified as elevated (>9 μmol/L) and hyperhomocysteinemia (>15 μmol/L). Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare parameters among the groups. Correlation was tested by Spearman's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

Forty-four (71.0%) patients were defined as Vit B12 deficient; 22 had Vit B12 level <200 pg/mL (four were on Vit B12 replacement therapy) and the remaining 22 had Vit B12 >200 pg/mL and were already on Vit B12 replacement therapy. The percentage of the patients with hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly higher in the group with Vit B12 <200 pg/mL as compared to other groups (P = 0.004) but only 33.3% (7/21) of the patients with Vit B12 <200 pg/mL had hyperhomocysteinemia. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with and without Vit B12 deficiency regarding age, mean disease duration, MUST scores, mean hemoglobin levels, H. Pylori IgG positivity and organ involvements (P > 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

Vit B12 deficiency is frequent in SSc and has multiple causes. All patients should be monitored for Vit B12 deficiency. The homocysteine levels seem unlikely to be helpful for confirmation of Vit B12 deficiency.

Sarcopenia in systemic sclerosis: the impact of nutritional, clinical, and laboratory features

We evaluated the presence of sarcopenia in a population of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, with respect to nutritional, clinical, and laboratory features. A total of 62 patients who met the ACR/EULAR 2013 classification criteria were enrolled. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Relative Skeletal Mass Index (RSMI) and hand grip strength (HGS). Body composition was assessed with the calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI), lean body mass (LBM) and fat mass (FM). Malnutrition was evaluated according to the ESPEN criteria. Clinical evaluation included nailfold capillaroscopy and skin evaluation by modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS), pulmonary function tests (PFT) with diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide adjusted for hemoglobin (DLCO), high-resolution computed tomography (HR-CT) of the lungs, echocardiography and high-resolution manometry (HRM) for esophageal involvement. Laboratory evaluation included erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), transaminases, lipid profile, glycemia, albumin, and vitamin-D. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) were also assessed. Considering RSMI, the prevalence of sarcopenia is 42%. In this case, age, malnutrition, disease duration, mRSS, capillaroscopy score, esophageal involvement, ESR, and ANA titer are higher in the sarcopenic group, while DLCO and LBM are lower. Considering HGS, the prevalence of sarcopenia is 55%. Age, disease duration, malnutrition, FM, mRSS, capillaroscopy score, esophageal involvement, ESR, and ENA positivity are higher in the sarcopenic group, while DLCO is lower. By using both RSMI and HGS to assess sarcopenia in SSc, the results of this study demonstrated that this condition correlates with different nutritional, clinical, and biochemical parameters associated with the worsening of the disease.

Comparison of the Clinical Implications among Five Different Nutritional Indices in Patients with Lupus Nephritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized with aberrant responses in the immune systems and lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious complications of SLE. This study evaluated the clinical significance of different nutritional indices in 207 renal biopsy-proven LN patients. The clinical and laboratory data were reviewed, and five different nutritional indices were calculated: (i) Controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score; (ii) prognostic nutritional index (PNI); (iii) nutritional risk index; (iv) neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; and (v) body mass index. The factors associated with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) were assessed using a Cox-proportional hazard analysis. The patients with ESRF had significantly lower median PNI (31.1 vs. 34.7, p = 0.012) than those without ESRF at baseline. The CONUT score and PNI had the highest correlation between the SLE disease activity index-2000 (r = 0.467 and p = −0.356, all p < 0.001) and was significantly associated with SLE activity-related measures. In the Cox-proportional hazard analysis, PNI (odds ratio 0.925, 95% confidence interval 0.865–0.989, p = 0.022) was independently associated with ESRF along with creatinine and chronicity index, and the renal survival rate was significantly lower in patients with PNI ≤35.41 than in those with PNI >35.41 (p = 0.003). Among nutritional indices, the CONUT score and PNI better correlated with disease activity and PNI was associated with ESRF.

Malnutrition, associated clinical factors, and depression in systemic sclerosis: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between malnutrition and the clinical features of the disease and depression in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHOD

Patients with SSc who were followed up in our clinic were enrolled in the study. Malnutrition risk was assessed using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Skin involvement was assessed using the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and interincisal distance (ID) measurements were used to assess the maximal mouth opening capacity. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used for measuring the severity of depression.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients with SSc (84.7% women; mean age 52.67 ± 11.26 years) were included in the study. According to the MUST scores, 61.2%, 15.3%, and 23.5% of patients had low, medium, and high risk for malnutrition, respectively. The mRSS was significantly higher in the group with high malnutrition risk compared with low-risk group (p = 0.014). Malnutrition risk was associated with interstitial lung disease and bowel involvement (p = 0.044 and p = 0.021, respectively). Interincisal distance was lower in the group with high malnutrition risk compared with the low-risk group (p = 0.003). Malnutrition risk was higher in patients who had mild-to-severe depressive symptoms than in those without (p = 0.012). Interincisal distance and bowel involvement were the most relevant factors for malnutrition.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of malnutrition is increased in patients with SSc. In our study, microstomia and bowel involvement were the most relevantly associated factors with malnutrition.

KEY POINTS

• The risk of malnutrition is increased in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). • Microstomia and bowel involvement are found to be the most important factors associated with malnutrition. • Depressive symptoms are seen frequently among patients with SSc, and depression seems to be one of the etiologic factors or the result of malnourishment in SSc. • Assessment of nutritional status and the presence of depression should be a part of routine clinical visits of patients with SSc.

Exocrine pancreatic function is preserved in systemic sclerosis

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been suggested to cause exocrine pancreatic dysfunction. However, a case-control-based autopsy study failed to associate systemic sclerosis with any pancreatic histopathology. The primary objective of this study was to examine the exocrine pancreatic function in consecutive SSc patients in relation to an age- and sex-matched control group. A secondary objective was to relate exocrine pancreatic function to radiological, laboratory, and clinical SSc characteristics.

Methods

One hundred twelve consecutive patients fulfilling the 2013 American Congress of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria for SSc and 52 control subjects were matched for sex and age. Exocrine pancreatic function was assessed by ELISA-based measurement of fecal elastase, and levels ≤ 200 μg/g were considered pathological, i.e., representing exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Patients were characterized regarding SSc manifestations including gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary function, by use of laboratory and clinical examinations. Pancreas parenchyma characteristics were evaluated by high-resolution computer tomography (HRCT).

Results

A similar proportion of subjects exhibited pathological levels of fecal elastase among SSc patients (6/112; 5.4%) and control subjects (3/52; 5.8%). Patients with fecal elastase ≤ 200 μg/g did not differ from other SSc patients with respect to laboratory and clinical characteristics, including malnutrition. SSc subjects with low levels of fecal elastase displayed significantly lower pancreas attenuation on HRCT examinations compared to the control subjects.

Conclusions

In this study encompassing 112 consecutive SSc patients and 52 matched control subjects, we were unable to associate systemic sclerosis with clinically significant exocrine pancreatic dysfunction.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-019-1840-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Overview of osteo-articular involvement in systemic sclerosis: Specific risk factors, clinico-sonographic evaluation, and comparison with healthy women from the French OFELY cohort

Osteoarticular involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is frequent and varied. Data are scarce on the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis (OP). We aimed to assess clinical parameters, radiological parameters, US articular involvements, and the frequency of OP and evaluate SSc-specific risk factors. In a prospective cohort of 54 patients with SSc, data of OP risk factors, SSc organ involvements, tender and swollen joint counts, DAS28-CRP, hand US sonographies, X-ray hand views, and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed. BMD values were compared to those from a healthy female population (OFELY cohort). Nineteen patients (40%) had OP. SSc was a risk factor of lower BMD in the patient group than in the control group. OP was associated with SSc-related risk factors and not with conventional OP risk factors. Nine patients had clinical synovitis (16%), and 23 (68%) patients had at least one US synovitis. No correlation was found with articular destruction, disease severity, autoantibody profile, or other organ impairment.

Intestinal Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: A Clinical Review

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic systemic disease characterized by microvasculopathy, autoantibodies, and extensive fibrosis. Intestinal involvement is frequent in SSc and represents a significant cause of morbidity. The pathogenesis of intestinal involvement includes vascular damage, nerve dysfunction, smooth muscle atrophy, and fibrosis, causing hypomotility, which leads to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), malabsorption, malnutrition, diarrhea, pseudo-obstruction, constipation, pneumatosis intestinalis, and fecal incontinence. Manifestations are often troublesome and reduce quality of life and life expectancy. Assessment of intestinal involvement includes screening for small intestine hypomotility, malnutrition, SIBO, and anorectal dysfunction. Current management of intestinal manifestations is largely inadequate. Patients with diarrhea are managed with low-fat diet, medium-chain triglycerides, avoidance of lactulose and fructose, and control of bacterial overgrowth with antibiotics for SIBO. In diarrhea/malabsorption, bile acid sequestrant and pancreatic enzyme supplementation may help, and nutritional support is needed. General measures are applied for constipation, and intestine rest plus antibiotics for pseudo-obstruction. Fecal incontinence is managed with measures for associated SIBO, or constipation, and with behavioral therapies. Pneumatosis intestinalis is usually an incidental finding that does not require any specific treatment. Immunomoduation should be considered early in intestinal involvement. Multidisciplinary approach of intestinal manifestations in SSc by gastroenterologists and rheumatologists is required for optimum management.

Pregnancy in systemic sclerosis

This comprehensive review summarizes retrospective and prospective studies on pregnancy in systemic sclerosis in order to educate physicians on critical management issues. Fertility is normal in women with established systemic sclerosis. Their rates of spontaneous losses are comparable to the general population, except for patients with late diffuse systemic sclerosis and severe internal organ involvement who may have higher risks of abortion. Prematurity is clearly higher among systemic sclerosis women, similarly to other rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome. A placental vasculopathy has been observed in some women with systemic sclerosis. Overall, the disease generally remains stable in most pregnancies. Women with pulmonary hypertension should avoid pregnancy on account of the high maternal mortality risk. Management of systemic sclerosis patients before and during pregnancy includes evaluation of organ involvement and autoantibody analysis, preconceptional folic acid, and discontinuation of drugs with teratogenic potential (bosentan, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, etc.). Management by high-risk pregnancy teams including neonatologists is very important to ensure the best outcomes.

Lung Transplantation in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this study was to highlight recent findings on evaluation for lung transplantation and outcomes after transplantation in patients with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).

RECENT FINDINGS

The recognition that extra-pulmonary disease manifestations can seriously compromise post-transplant outcomes has changed the way patients are screened for lung transplant candidacy. Reluctance to transplant subjects affected by scleroderma has been driven by the complexity and multisystem nature of this disease. Multiple recent reports provide convincing findings that scleroderma patients undergoing lung transplantation have similar outcomes as those with other non-rheumatologic pulmonary conditions, even when significant esophageal dysmotility is present. New evidence supports the notion that scleroderma should not be a contraindication for referral to lung transplant. Future studies are needed to improve risk stratification, to define protocols for screening and management of extra-pulmonary complications, and to optimize immunosuppression before and after transplant.

Prevalence of malnutrition and validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis for the assessment of body composition in patients with systemic sclerosis

Objectives

The aims were to assess the prevalence of malnutrition and to validate bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) against whole-body DXA for the assessment of body composition in patients with SSc.

Methods

Malnutrition was defined as BMI <18.5 kg/m 2 or unintentional weight loss >10% in combination with a fat-free mass index (FFMI) <15 kg/m 2 for women or <17 kg/m 2 for men or BMI <20.0 kg/m 2 (age <70 years) or <22 kg/m 2 (age >70 years). Body composition was assessed in 72 patients with whole-body DXA (Hologic, Discovery A) and BIA (Bodystat Quadscan 400). The manufacturer's equation and the Geneva equation were used to estimate FFM and fat mass. The agreement between BIA and whole-body DXA was assessed with Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

Malnutrition was found in 8.3% (n = 6) and low FFMI in 20.8% (n = 15) of patients. The mean difference in FFM between BIA and DXA applying the Geneva equation was 0.02 ( s . d . 2.4) kg, intraclass correlation coefficient 0.97 (95% CI: 0.95, 0.98). Limits of agreement were ±4.6 kg. The manufacturer's equation was less adequate to predict FFM.

Conclusion

This study shows a relatively low prevalence of malnutrition in comparison with other studies, but a high prevalence of low FFMI, underlining the necessity of measuring body composition in SSc patients with a standardized and validated method. A good validity of BIA in determining FFM was found at a group level, while at an individual level the FFM may vary by 4.6 kg.

Current management of the gastrointestinal complications of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem autoimmune disorder that involves the gastrointestinal tract in more than 90% of patients. This involvement can extend from the mouth to the anus, with the oesophagus and anorectum most frequently affected. Gut complications result in a plethora of presentations that impair oral intake and faecal continence and, consequently, have an adverse effect on patient quality of life, resulting in referral to gastroenterologists. The cornerstones of gastrointestinal symptom management are to optimize symptom relief and monitor for complications, in particular anaemia and malabsorption. Early intervention in patients who develop these complications is critical to minimize disease progression and improve prognosis. In the future, enhanced therapeutic strategies should be developed, based on an ever-improving understanding of the intestinal pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis. This Review describes the most commonly occurring clinical scenarios of gastrointestinal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis as they present to the gastroenterologist, with recommendations for the suggested assessment protocol and therapy in each situation.

Home parenteral nutrition is beneficial in systemic sclerosis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction

OBJECTIVES

To assess 12-month changes in nutritional status and quality of life (QoL) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients requiring home parenteral nutrition (HPN).

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective, single-centre database analysis of SSc patients regarding a 12-month period of HPN at an interdisciplinary University Unit/team for nutrition and rheumatic diseases. Nutritional status was analysed by nutritional risk screening (NRS) and body mass index (BMI). QoL was evaluated using Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2013, daily nocturnal HPN was initiated in five consecutive SSc patients (four females and one male, mean age 62.2 years) suffering severe malnutrition due to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement. After 12 months of HPN, the mean NRS score decreased from 4.4 (range 4-5) to 1.4 (range 1-2), the mean BMI increased from 19.1 (range 17.4-20.3) to 21.0 kg/m² (range 18.3-23.4). QoL improved in all patients, reflected by the summary of physical components with 33.92 points before vs. 67.72 points after 12 months of HPN, and the summary of mental components with 49.66 points before vs. 89.27 points after 12 months of HPN. Two patients suffered one catheter-related infection each with subsequent surgical removal and reinsertion.

CONCLUSIONS

HPN is a feasible method for improving anthropometric parameters and QoL in SSc patients severely affected by GIT dysfunction. We recommend HPN in malnourished, catabolic SSc patients unable to otherwise maintain or improve their nutritional status.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations, Malnutrition, and Role of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition in Patients With Scleroderma

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis) is an autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organ systems. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is the most common organ system involved in scleroderma. Complications of GI involvement including gastroesophageal reflux disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction secondary to extensive fibrosis may lead to nutritional deficiencies in these patients. Here, we discuss pathophysiology, progression of GI manifestations, and malnutrition secondary to scleroderma, and the use of enteral and parenteral nutrition to reverse severe nutritional deficiencies. Increased mortality in patients with concurrent malnutrition in systemic sclerosis, as well as the refractory nature of this malnutrition to pharmacologic therapies compels clinicians to provide novel and more invasive interventions in reversing these nutritional deficiencies. Enteral and parenteral nutrition have important implications for patients who are severely malnourished or have compromised GI function as they are relatively safe and have substantial retrospective evidence of success. Increased awareness of these therapeutic options is important when treating scleroderma-associated malnutrition.

Evaluation and management of gastrointestinal manifestations in scleroderma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The gastrointestinal tract is the most common extra-cutaneous organ system involved with systemic sclerosis (SSc) affecting approximately 90% of patients. This review summarizes the recent advances in the evaluation and management of gastrointestinal manifestations of SSc.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a growing body of evidence that uncontrolled GERD can play a significant role in the pathogenesis of SSc-associated interstitial lung disease. Newer forms of management of Barrett esophagus are showing significant promise as potentially curative therapy. Gastric antral vascular ectasias have strongly been associated with the presence of RNA polymerase III antibody. Newer technologies have advanced the assessment of gastrointestinal dysmotility in SSc. Evidence of probiotic use for the treatment of gastrointestinal complications is emerging. The UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0 questionnaire is being increasingly accepted by the SSc experts as a validated instrument for evaluation of patient-reported outcomes involving the gastrointestinal tract.

SUMMARY

Our knowledge of the complex pathogenesis of gastrointestinal manifestations of SSc has expanded substantially in the last few decades. There has also been considerable technological progress in the evaluation of these manifestations. Patient care is being optimized by close collaboration of rheumatologists and gastroenterologists, leading to a more coordinated approach in the management of these complications.

Management of gastrointestinal involvement in scleroderma

Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) commonly affects patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The GI involvement is quite heterogeneous varying from asymptomatic disease to significant dysmotility causing complications like malabsorption, weight loss and severe malnutrition. This review focuses on the management of GI involvement in SSc and has been categorized based on the segment of GIT involved. A brief discussion on the role of patient reported outcome measures in SSc-GI involvement has also been incorporated.