Internal anal sphincter atrophy in patients with systemic sclerosis

SSc is a connective tissue, multisystem disorder of unknown aetiology. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is affected in up to 90% of patients. The exact pathophysiology of GIT involvement is not known, but it is related to both neurogenic and myogenic abnormalities as well as possible vascular and ischaemic changes. Thinning of the internal anal sphincter (IAS) has been demonstrated in SSc with faecal incontinence. We aimed to investigate anal sphincter structure in patients with SSc

Assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis in a UK tertiary referral centre

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is affected in up to 90% of patients with SSc to a variable extent and severity. We aimed to establish the frequency and range of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in SSc patients at the Royal Free Hospital, a tertiary referral centre

Fecal incontinence in systemic sclerosis is secondary to neuropathy

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic multi-system autoimmune disorder with gastrointestinal tract (GIT) involvement in up to 90% of patients and anorectal involvement occurs in up to 50% of patients. The pathogenesis of gastrointestinal abnormalities may be both myogenic and neurogenic. We aimed to identify which anorectal physiological abnormalities correlate with clinical symptoms and thus understand the pathophysiology of anorectal involvement in SSc