Scleroderma and other connective tissue disorders

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory connective tissue disorders and can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Dysphagia, gastrooesophageal reflux, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and change in bowel habit are common symptoms and usually arise from gastrointestinal dysmotility and altered visceral sensitivity. In scleroderma, sensorimotor dysfunction is pronounced and can result in complications such as Barrett’s oesophagus, gastroparesis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, malabsorption and malnutrition, with an associated reduction in survival.