Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Gastrointestinal involvement in very early and established systemic sclerosis: insights from the SPRING-SIR national Italian registry
Authors' conclusion
GI involvement in SSc is linked to more severe disease and longer disease duration. Disease duration resulted linked to the presence of GI symptoms rather than extent of GI involvement. Puffy fingers and anti-centromere antibodies may associate with presence of early oesophageal symptoms in VEDOSS.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with SSc or Very Early Diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS) in the Italian SPRING-SIR registry
- Participants
- 1,917 vs 211
- Exposure
- SSc vs VEDOSS
- SScn = 1,917
- VEDOSSn = 211
- Outcome
- Prevalence of GI symptoms (symptoms in at least one GI tract segment, categorized as upper and lower)
Methodological detailsregistry-based (SPRING-SIR national Italian registry), logistic and ordinal regression
- Registry-based (SPRING-SIR national Italian registry)
- Logistic and ordinal regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of GI symptoms
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors associated with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in SSc
- Associated with longer disease duration, dcSSc, interstitial lung disease (ILD), digital ulcers, telangiectasias and tobacco exposure
- Extensive GI involvement correlated with more severe disease
Factors associated with more extensive GI involvement in SSc (ordinal regression)
- Female sex, dcSSc, ILD, digital ulcers, telangiectasias, tobacco exposure and anti-centromere antibodies significantly associated
- Disease duration not significantly associated with GI symptom extent
Factors associated with GI symptoms in VEDOSS
- GI symptoms significantly associated with puffy fingers and dyspnoea
- Puffy fingers and anti-centromere antibodies independent predictors of oesophageal symptoms
Original publication
Gastrointestinal involvement in very early and established systemic sclerosis: insights from the SPRING-SIR national Italian registry. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 5 September 2025. doi:10.
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