Esophageal motor abnormalities in scleroderma and related diseases

Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Collagen Diseases

“…Among the collagen diseases, this type of pharyngoesophageal motor dis order seems to be rather specific to myositis. Other motor disorders affecting the smooth muscle area of the esophagus can also be observed during myositis [3,4,12,51]. The abnormalities are the same as those observed during PSS, e.g.…”

“…When present, it is evident mainly from EMD, which are found in 20% of patients [3,4,12,18,50,51], Clinically, patients suffer from a swallowing dysfunction accompanied now and then by tracheal overflow and nasal regurgitation of liquid [12], These degluti tive disorders are observed in cineradiog raphy by a barium reflux in the pharynx, a tracheal flooding by the contrast agent and a delay in pharyngeal emptying [12], Pharyn goesophageal manometric data confirm the damage to the striated musculature, as shown by a decrease in the amplitude of pha ryngeal contractions and in the pressure of the upper esophageal sphincter and also by an alteration in the peristalsis of the proxi mal esophagus [12]. Abnormalities of pha ryngoesophageal motility are observed in 20% of patients, independently of age, dura tion of the illness and presence of an RP.…”

“…The incidence of colonic involvement varies according to the radiological studies between 4 [45] and 72% [46]. Without intes tinal complications, the clinical indications are either poor (persistent constipation, al ternating diarrhea and constipation) or ab sent.…”

“…During generalised PSS, esophageal in volvement is found in 70-80% of cases [3][4][5]. The esophageal motor disorders (EMD) explain the clinical manifestations encoun tered in 30-70% of patients, e.g.…”

The Pathogenesis of Esophageal Dysfunction in Scleroderma and Raynaud's Disease

“…In patients with scleroderma and Raynaud's disease, the esophagus shows functional abnormalities in its smooth Received for publication 23 February 1972 and in revised form 15 June 1972. muscle portions (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Peristaltic waves diminish in amplitude and then disappear in the distal one-half to two-thirds of the esophagus.…”