The Impact of Pelvic Floor and Lower Gastrointestinal Symptoms on Quality of Life in Women With Systemic Sclerosis

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.

Progression of gastrointestinal symptoms over time in patients with systemic sclerosis

Up to 90% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) develop gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. To evaluate whether GI symptoms and quality of life in patients with SSc demonstrate longitudinal stability. Consecutive patients with SSc (n = 100) completed the validated university of California at Los Angeles scleroderma clinical trial consortium gastrointestinal tract 2.0 (GIT) instrument and completed the same instrument approximately 5 years later. Comparison was made between patients with diffuse (dcSSc) and limited (lcSSc) subtypes and duration of disease of less than or greater than 5 years. GIT scores were calculated and analyzed for differences. 37 patients with dcSSc and 63 patients with lcSSc were included. Social functioning score significantly improved over time [0.44 (0.59)-0.31 (0.47); P = 0.003]. Total GIT scores were lower in patients with diffuse [0.51 (0.41)] compared with limited [(0.72 (0.53); P = 0.029] disease at both baseline and follow-up. Social functioning improved similarly in both dcSSc and lcSSc over time (P = 0.004). GIT Total scores increased in 27% (27/100) of patients and did not change or improved in 73% (73/100). Patients with worsening GI status had significantly increased scores on all GIT subscales. A lower body-mass index at baseline was significantly associated with worsening GIT Total score (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.07-1.39; P < 0.001). Patients with SSc generally demonstrate longitudinal stability or improvement in their GI symptoms, but a subset of patients experience worsening of GI symptoms and negative impacts on GI-related quality of life.

Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis: Effects on morbidity and mortality and new therapeutic approaches

The majority of research studies in systemic sclerosis focus largely on addressing skin and cardiopulmonary manifestations. Fewer studies assess the pathogenesis and treatment of gastrointestinal tract involvement in systemic sclerosis, despite the fact that the majority of patients with systemic sclerosis have gastrointestinal manifestations and these manifestations are a leading cause of death in systemic sclerosis. The present review provides a comprehensive update on morbidity and mortality outcomes related to gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis. This review also describes conventional and emerging approaches to managing gastrointestinal symptoms in systemic sclerosis. Recent developments in systemic sclerosis-gastrointestinal research efforts have revealed promising treatment targets, including specific auto-antibodies and microbiota alterations. This review will conclude with an overview of future research directions that may improve our understanding of systemic sclerosis-gastrointestinal involvement and ultimately help to alleviate suffering from this devastating dimension of systemic sclerosis.

Lower urinary tract symptoms in systemic sclerosis: a detailed investigation

OBJECTIVES

Urinary tract involvement is a seldom-reported manifestation of SSc that could compromise patients' quality of life. This study compares lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in SSc patients and in healthy subjects and their association with clinical and diagnostic parameters.

METHODS

LUTS were assessed through self-reported questionnaires in 42 SSc patients and 50 matched healthy subjects. Statistical analyses were performed to explore LUTS in the two populations and their association with SSc variables, including nailfold videocapillaroscopy patterns, SSc-related antibodies and DXA parameters.

RESULTS

SSc patients showed significantly higher prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence (UI) and overactive bladder (OAB) than healthy controls (P < 0.005, P < 0.01). SSc was a strong predictor of LUTS, independent of demographic data, comorbidities and treatments (odds ratio 5.57, 95% CI 1.64-18.88). In SSc patients OAB positively correlated with sarcopenia (P < 0.001), and both OAB and UI significantly correlated with reduced BMD (P < 0.05, P = 0.001). UI positively correlated with Scl70 antibodies (P < 0.05) and ciclosporin treatment (P = 0.001) and negatively with RNA polymerase III antibodies (P < 0.05); OAB positively correlated with calcinosis (P < 0.005) and negatively with methotrexate treatment (P < 0.05). Nailfold videocapillaroscopy 'active' and 'late' patterns were predominant among SSc patients presenting urinary symptoms, although no statistical correlation was found.

CONCLUSION

For the first time urinary tract involvement was found to be significantly higher in SSc patients than in healthy matched controls. In addition, sarcopenia, bone damage and calcinosis appeared significantly correlated with LUTS, suggesting a possible interplay.

Colonic Manifestations and Complications Are Relatively Under-Reported in Systemic Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

Although systemic sclerosis (SSc) is known to affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, most of the literature focuses on esophageal, small intestinal, or anorectal manifestations. There have been no reviews focused on large bowel SSc complications in over 30 years. The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of colonic manifestations and complications of SSc.

METHODS

An experienced librarian conducted a search of databases, including English and Spanish articles. The search used keywords including "systemic sclerosis," "scleroderma," and "colon." A systematic review was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Case reports/series were screened for validity by adapting from criteria published elsewhere.

RESULTS

Of 1,890 articles, 74 met selection criteria. Fifty-nine of the 77 articles were case reports/series. The most common article topics on colonic SSc complications were constipation/dysmotility (15), colonic volvulus (8), inflammatory bowel disease (7), microscopic colitis (6), megacolon (6), and telangiectasia (6). Colonic manifestations constituted 24% of articles on GI complications of SSc. There were a total of 85 cases (84% women, with a median age of onset of colon complication of 52 years). Limited cutaneous SSc phenotype (65.6%) was more common than diffuse (26.2%). Patients frequently had poor outcomes with high mortality related to colonic complications (27%). Recent studies explore contemporary topics such as the microbiome in SSc and prucalopride for chronic constipation in SSc.

DISCUSSION

Colonic complications comprise a large proportion of the published reports on GI symptoms afflicting patients with SSc and require raised diagnostic suspicion and deliberate action to avoid potentially serious complications including death.

Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis: diagnosis and management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review provides important updates in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related gastrointestinal disease, with a particular focus on the diagnosis and management of dysmotility.

RECENT FINDINGS

In the past 2 years, several studies were published that present interesting diagnostic insights into SSc and gastrointestinal dysmotility. Studies focusing on new therapies and the novel application of existing therapies, both in SSc and non-SSc-associated gastrointestinal dysmotility syndromes, demonstrate progress in the management of these challenging complications.

SUMMARY

SSc gastrointestinal disease is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation, which presents a challenge in diagnosis and management. Objective studies may help to identify patterns of gastrointestinal dysmotility and more specifically target therapy. A variety of drugs are now available or are under study in the management of gastrointestinal dysmotility, such as prucalopride, intravenous immunoglobulin, pyridostigmine, linaclotide, relamorelin, and others. These drugs may improve symptoms and quality of life in SSc gastrointestinal patients. Combination therapies are also under study. Electroacupuncture, dietary intervention (e.g. medical nutrition therapy, low FODmap diet), and medical cannibus may also play a role in alleviating patient symptoms; however, more data are needed to define the role of these interventions in SSc.

Clinical correlates of faecal incontinence in systemic sclerosis: identifying therapeutic avenues

Objectives

The aim was to establish the prevalence and severity of faecal incontinence (FI) in SSc, its association with other intestinal manifestations and potential predictors of FI, and its impact on quality of life.

Methods

A multicentre, cross-sectional study of 298 SSc subjects followed in the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group cohort was performed using validated questionnaires: Jorge-Wexner score (an FI severity scale), Bristol stool scale (a visual scale of stool consistency) and FI Quality-of-Life scale. Constipation was defined by the Rome III criteria. Associations between the Jorge-Wexner score and other clinical variables were determined using multivariate regression analyses.

Results

Eighty-one (27.2%) subjects had FI, which was mild in 37 (12.4%) and moderate to severe in 44 (14.8%). Most patients had well-formed stools, 111 (38.8%) reported constipation and 38 (13.4%) had been previously treated for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Variables independently associated with FI were: loose vs well-formed stools [odds ratio (OR) = 7.01, 95% CI: 2.09, 23.51)], constipation (OR = 3.64, 95% CI: 1.61, 8.27, P = 0.002), history of SIBO (OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.06, 8.27) and urinary incontinence (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.14, 5.27). Quality of life measured with the FI Quality-of-Life scale was inversely correlated with FI severity (correlation coefficients between -0.602 and -0.702, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

FI was common and often severe in SSc. Loose stools, SIBO, constipation and urinary incontinence were strongly associated with FI. Other than targeting anorectal dysfunction, concomitant treatment of clinical correlates could lead to improvement in FI and quality of life in SSc.

Prevalence of fecal incontinence in a cohort of systemic sclerosis patients within a regional referral network

Background

The prevalence of gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis is higher than 75%. The estimated prevalence of fecal incontinence varies from 22% to 77%, but suffers from recruitment bias and patient reluctance. Our goal was to evaluate the prevalence of fecal incontinence in systemic sclerosis, and to identify associated risk factors.

Methods

Patients were recruited in the referral systemic sclerosis network of the Lyon University Hospitals, using self-administered questionnaires including constipation, fecal incontinence and Bristol Stool scales, quality of life, anxiety and depression. The cohort was compared with the historical ORALIA cohort that established the prevalence of fecal incontinence in the general population of the Rhône-Alpes region (France).

Results

Seventy-seven patients were included (mean age: 60 years, range: 32-84), and 86% were female. These were compared to 153 ORALIA individuals matched for age and sex. Fecal incontinence was present in 38% of patients and 6% of the general population. A longer duration of systemic sclerosis was the only characteristic associated with fecal incontinence. Abnormal stool consistency was more frequent in patients with fecal incontinence.

Conclusion

Fecal incontinence and abnormal stool consistency are common in systemic sclerosis and should be systematically addressed.

Systemic Sclerosis and the Gastrointestinal Tract-Clinical Approach

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.

Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis

In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement is almost universal. Any segment of the GI tract from mouth to anus can be involved, and GI symptoms are a frequent cause of morbidity. In severe cases, GI tract involvement can progress to the point of malnutrition requiring parenteral nutrition. GI tract involvement in SSc contributes to disease-related mortality although mostly as a co-morbidity rather than direct cause of death. The review is intended to help address challenges in the assessment and treatment of GI tract involvement in SSc.