How does scleroderma affect GI?

In the gastrointestinal tract, scleroderma can cause progressive atrophy and collagenous fibrous replacement of the muscularis, which may affect any part or all of the gastrointestinal tract but is more prominent in the esophagus. The lower two thirds of the esophagus often develops a rubber hosepipe-like consistency.

Does scleroderma affect the intestines?

In scleroderma, the muscles of the intestines become weakened and ultimately get replaced by scar tissue. Thus symptoms arise related to where the muscle damage is and how severe it becomes.

Can scleroderma cause bowel obstruction?

Another small intestinal symptom that occurs in scleroderma is pseudo- (false) obstruction.

What is the difference between scleroderma and systemic sclerosis?

What’s the difference between scleroderma and systemic sclerosis? Scleroderma is seen only on the skin. However, when the fibrosis involves your other internal organs, this is considered systemic sclerosis.

Which of the following is a common gastrointestinal manifestation present in a patient suffering from scleroderma?

Stomach. The two most common manifestations of SSc in the stomach are gastroparesis and gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) resulting from neuropathic damage and vasculopathy respectively.

Can scleroderma affect internal organs?

Scleroderma (sklair-oh-DUR-muh), also known as systemic sclerosis, is a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin. It may also cause problems in the blood vessels, internal organs and digestive tract.

Is scleroderma always fatal?

The skin hardening and tightening is limited usually just to the fingers and sometimes the hands, forearms or the face. Internal organ damage is less likely in the limited scleroderma type. In general, patients with limited scleroderma have a normal life expectancy.