Bowel problems in patients with systemic sclerosis

Background: The impact of systemic sclerosis on bowel function is still unk nown. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the frequency and sever ity of colorectal problems among patients with systemic sclerosis and to de termine whether these problems are associated with age, gender, type of sys temic sclerosis, or time since diagnosis. Methods: A detailed questionnaire describing diarrhoea, constipation, obstructed defecation, faecal incontin ence, bowel habits, social activities, and quality of life was sent to 96 c onsecutive patients with systemic sclerosis. Results: Among 83 respondents (86%) 16% did not have a normal desire to defecate, 18% regularly needed di gital stimulation or evacuation of the rectum, and 38% had faecal incontine nce. Most patients (79%) had episodes of diarrhoea, and 38% had this once o r more each month. Overall, 20% reported that colorectal dysfunction caused some or a major restriction of social activities or the quality of life. C onclusions: Colorectal dysfunction is very common among patients with syste mic sclerosis, often restricting social activities and the quality of life. Therefore, further studies of colorectal pathophysiology in patients with systemic sclerosis are needed.