Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Anorectal Dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis: Clinical Phenotypes and Functional Patterns
Authors' conclusion
Anorectal dysfunction is common in SSc and may reflect underlying neuromuscular involvement. ARM abnormalities are associated with longer disease duration and specific autoantibody profiles, particularly anticentromere and Ro52.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) from the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center Research Registry who underwent anorectal manometry (ARM), 2011–2022
- Participants
- 50 patients
- Outcome
- Physiologic defects on ARM (resting and squeeze pressures, rectal and urge sensations, rectoanal inhibitory reflex [RAIR])
Methodological detailssingle-centre registry
- Single-centre registry
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Hypotensive resting pressures
60%
Reduced anal squeeze
24%
Diminished rectal sensation
31%
Abnormal rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR)
92%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Disease duration, by resting pressure
P = 0.003
FVC (% predicted), by resting pressure
P = 0.018
Indication for ARM
- Fecal incontinence (most common)
- 56%
- Constipation
- 34%
Dual anticentromere and Ro52 antibody positivity and hypotensive resting pressures
- Dual anticentromere and Ro52 antibody positivity significantly associated with hypotensive resting pressures (100% vs 56%)
- P = 0.030
Original publication
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