1
|
Hisada S, Takeuchi S, Tozawa T, Yamada Y, Ito Y, Kodera M. Cross-sectional study using the University of California, Los Angeles, Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument 2.0 (UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0) for gastrointestinal disorders of systemic sclerosis. J Dermatol 2024. [PMID: 38963343 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.17327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify severe gastrointestinal ailments in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), investigate the role of antibodies in gastrointestinal disorders, and explore the relationship between limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) in terms of gastrointestinal involvement and its association with skin stiffness. We used the University of California, Los Angeles, Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium Gastrointestinal Tract Instrument 2.0 (UCLA SCTC GIT 2.0) questionnaire to assess gastrointestinal disturbances in 100 patients with SSc. Gastrointestinal impairment was categorized into three levels: absence of or minor symptoms, moderate symptoms, and severe symptoms, as indicated by the total gastrointestinal tract (GIT) score. Comparing 27 patients with dcSSc and 73 patients with lcSSc, severe gastrointestinal disturbances were found in 7.4% of patients with dcSSc and 4.1% of patients with lcSSc. A total of 18.0% of anticentromere antibody (ACA)-positive patients exhibited moderate to severe symptoms, while 9.1% of antitopoisomerase 1 antibody-positive patients displayed similar symptoms. The average disease duration in patients with severe symptoms was 15.0 years, in those with moderate symptoms was 10.3 years, and in those who were symptom-free or mildly affected was 8.5 years. Among 16 patients with moderate to severe gastrointestinal disorders, a positive correlation was observed between the modified Rodnan skin thickness score (mRSS) and total GIT score. In addition, a positive correlation was identified between fecal incontinence and mRSS, with weaker correlations for reflux and bloating symptoms. Patients with gastrointestinal disorders showed a tendency to worsen over time, particularly in ACA-positive patients with dcSSc. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between mRSS and fecal incontinence, reflux, and abdominal bloating in patients with moderate to severe gastrointestinal disturbances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Satoko Hisada
- Division of Dermatology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Saki Takeuchi
- Division of Dermatology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takahisa Tozawa
- Division of Dermatology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yamada
- Division of Dermatology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yumi Ito
- Division of Dermatology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masanari Kodera
- Division of Dermatology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kaniecki T, Hughes M, McMahan Z. Managing gastrointestinal manifestations in systemic sclerosis, a mechanistic approach. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2024; 20:603-622. [PMID: 38406978 PMCID: PMC11098704 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2024.2320205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease with heterogeneous presentation. Gastrointestinal (GI) complications of SSc are characterized by esophageal reflux, abnormal motility, and microbiome dysbiosis, which impact patient quality of life and mortality. Preventative therapeutics are lacking, with management primarily aimed at symptomatic control. AREAS COVERED A broad literature review was conducted through electronic databases and references from key articles. We summarize the physiology of gastric acid production and GI motility to provide context for existing therapies, detail the current understanding of SSc-GI disease, and review GI medications studied in SSc. Finally, we explore new therapeutic options. We propose a management strategy that integrates data on drug efficacy with knowledge of disease pathophysiology, aiming to optimize future therapeutic targets. EXPERT OPINION SSc-GI complications remain a challenge for patients, clinicians, and investigators alike. Management presently focuses on treating symptoms and minimizing mucosal damage. Little evidence exists to suggest immunosuppressive therapy halts progression of GI involvement or reverses damage, leaving many unanswered questions about the optimal clinical approach. Further research focused on identifying patients at risk for GI progression, and the underlying mechanism(s) that drive disease will provide opportunities to prevent long-term damage, and significantly improve patient quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Kaniecki
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Michael Hughes
- Department of Rheumatology, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Care Organisation, Salford, US
- Division of Musculoskeletal and Dermatological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Zsuzsanna McMahan
- Division of Rheumatology, UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nassar M, Ghernautan V, Nso N, Nyabera A, Castillo FC, Tu W, Medina L, Ciobanu C, Alfishawy M, Rizzo V, Eskaros S, Mahdi M, Khalifa M, El-Kassas M. Gastrointestinal involvement in systemic sclerosis: An updated review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31780. [PMID: 36397401 PMCID: PMC9666124 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract (GI) is the second most affected organ system in individuals suffering from systemic/localized scleroderma (SSc) or localized scleroderma. SSc can affect any part of the GI, between the oral cavity and anorectum. The annual incidence of SSc in the United States is estimated to be 19.3 cases per million adults, with the highest incidence reported in people aged 44 to 55. Females are 5 times more likely than males to suffer from SSc. Morbidity and mortality rates associated with SSc are predominantly elevated among patients with GI manifestations. Esophageal and intestinal manifestations impact 90% and 40% to 70% of patients with systemic scleroderma, respectively. SSc patients are known to suffer from small bowel hypomotility and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which cause malabsorption and malnutrition, ultimately contributing to the 50% mortality rate. Fecal incontinence is a common symptom of SSc that can lead to depression. SSc patients may suffer from gastrointestinal complications that can negatively impact their quality of life on a daily basis. Multidisciplinary approaches are necessary for systematically managing gastrointestinal complications associated with SSc. A prospective study should focus on developing targeted therapies to improve recovery patterns and prognosis in cases of SSc. This article summarizes the epidemiology, commonly reported clinical manifestations, complications, and available treatments for treating GI pathology in SSc patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud Nassar
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Victoria Ghernautan
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Nso Nso
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Akwe Nyabera
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Francisco Cuevas Castillo
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Wan Tu
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Luis Medina
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | | | - Mostafa Alfishawy
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Vincent Rizzo
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Saphwat Eskaros
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NYC Health+Hospitals, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Mamdouh Mahdi
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Khalifa
- Hospital Management Department, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Kassas
- Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
- * Correspondence: Mohamed El-Kassas, Endemic Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Ain Helwan 11795 Cairo, Egypt (e-mail: )
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cardoneanu A, Burlui AM, Macovei LA, Bratoiu I, Richter P, Rezus E. Targeting Systemic Sclerosis from Pathogenic Mechanisms to Clinical Manifestations: Why IL-6? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020318. [PMID: 35203527 PMCID: PMC8869570 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder, which has both cutaneous and systemic clinical manifestations. The disease pathogenesis includes a triad of manifestations, such as vasculopathy, autoimmunity, and fibrosis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has a special role in SS development, both in vascular damage and in the development of fibrosis. In the early stages, IL-6 participates in vascular endothelial activation and apoptosis, leading to the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which maintain inflammation and autoimmunity. Moreover, IL-6 plays an important role in the development of fibrotic changes by mediating the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. All of these are associated with disabling clinical manifestations, such as skin thickening, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), heart failure, and dysphagia. Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-6 by binding to the specific receptor, thus preventing its proinflammatory and fibrotic actions. Anti-IL-6 therapy with Tocilizumab is a new hope for SS patients, with data from clinical trials supporting the favorable effect, especially on skin and lung damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anca Cardoneanu
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexandra Maria Burlui
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Luana Andreea Macovei
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana Bratoiu
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Patricia Richter
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Elena Rezus
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by widespread microvasculopathy, inflammation, and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is associated with a wide variety of symptoms and affects circa 90% of patients during the course of the disease. The gastrointestinal microbiota contains trillions of microbial cells and has been found to contribute to both local and systemic homeostasis. In both health and disease, a dynamic interrelationship between gut microbiome activity and the host immune system has been identified. Gastrointestinal dysbiosis has been described as having an important role in obesity, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric disorders, neoplasia, as well as autoimmunity. Recent scientific data indicates a notable role of dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of SSc-related digestive involvement together with various other clinical manifestations. The present review aims to summarize the recent findings regarding digestive dysbiosis as well as the relationship between gastrointestinal microbiota and certain features of SSc.
Collapse
|
6
|
Kaniecki T, Abdi T, McMahan ZH. A practical approach to the evaluation and management of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2021; 35:101666. [PMID: 33676855 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2021.101666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the most commonly affected internal organ system in systemic sclerosis (SSc). SSc may lead to impaired function in any region of the GI tract, from the esophagus to the anorectum, which causes significant morbidity as well as mortality in patient subsets. Given the low prevalence of SSc in the community, many rheumatologists may not have a systematic framework for diagnosing or treating the GI complaints in this disease. These practice recommendations aim to summarize and consolidate the current guidelines from the fields of gastroenterology and rheumatology and establish a symptom-based framework for diagnosis and management based on available evidence in the literature. Subject areas that are in need of additional research are also identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Kaniecki
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, USA
| | - Tsion Abdi
- Johns Hopkins University, Division of Gastroenterology, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
|
8
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review presents evidence on support group effectiveness in common diseases, research on support groups in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and work underway by the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network in collaboration with patient organizations to train SSc support group leaders in order to improve support group access and the experiences of support groups for members and leaders. RECENT FINDINGS Giving and receiving emotional and practical support from others with SSc is an important reason that individuals with SSc attend support groups, but many patients cannot access support groups. SSc support group leaders report confidence in their ability to facilitate groups, but are less confident in tasks such as managing group dynamics and sustaining the group. The Scleroderma Support group Leader EDucation (SPIN-SSLED) Program was developed to provide training to support group leaders and was recently tested through a feasibility trial. A full-scale trial will commence in 2019.
Collapse
|
9
|
Nutritional approach in systemic sclerosis: about a case. NUTR HOSP 2019; 36:1231-1234. [DOI: 10.20960/nh.02732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
|