Nutritional condition and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma/SSc) is a rare, connective autoimmune multisystem disease with wide-reaching consequences. SSc is recognized by the presence of serum autoantibodies and fibroproliferative changes in the microvasculature which, in turn, results in too much accumulation of collagen fibres in the skin and internal organs. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement is highly prevalent among SSc patients (seen in over 90% of cases). Altered GI function and subsequent nutritional disorders are common outcomes of SSc, affecting the quality of life (QoL) and possibly carrying an associated rate of morbidity and mortality. Disease-related malnourishment is also considered to have a detrimental effect on clinical outcomes. There is little information on dietary advice for SSc patients, and as GI complaints are risk factors for bad nutritional status, perceptive assessment seems to be necessary. As the SSc pathogenesis is yet to be explored, recent investigations have aimed to evaluate the effect of diet in terms of triggering or altering the course of the disease. The present review aimed to discuss current knowledge relating to the effect of nutrition on SSc pathogenesis.