OBJECTIVE: Intestinal involvement is frequently observed in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is associated with malnutrition and a decreased survival rate. Vascular lesions are claimed to underlie and precede these changes. The aim of this study was to establish whether a reduced mesenteric blood flow was present in SSc patients with no signs or symptoms of small bowel involvement. METHODS: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow in the fasting state was measured by colour Doppler ultrasonography in 27 SSc patients and in 25 controls. The effect of a balanced liquid meal on mesenteric blood flow was measured in six matched patients and controls. RESULTS: In fasting SSc patients, there were reductions in mean SMA diameter (P<0.001), blood flow (213+/-92 vs 398+/-125 ml/min in controls, P<0.0001) and pulsatility index (3.49+/-1.0 vs 4.13+/-0.97 in controls, P<0.07). In both groups, the meal increased basal flow values and the differences between controls and patients in the fasting state were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of symptoms of small bowel involvement, reversible SMA vasoconstriction is demonstrable in the fasting state in SSc patients.

Superior mesenteric artery blood flow in systemic sclerosis patients / F. Quarto Di Palo, R. Rivolta, V. Berruti, M. Caronni, S. Bazzi, R. Scorza. - In: RHEUMATOLOGY. - ISSN 1462-0324. - 41:7(2002 Jul), pp. 730-734.

Superior mesenteric artery blood flow in systemic sclerosis patients

R. Scorza
Ultimo
2002

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal involvement is frequently observed in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is associated with malnutrition and a decreased survival rate. Vascular lesions are claimed to underlie and precede these changes. The aim of this study was to establish whether a reduced mesenteric blood flow was present in SSc patients with no signs or symptoms of small bowel involvement. METHODS: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow in the fasting state was measured by colour Doppler ultrasonography in 27 SSc patients and in 25 controls. The effect of a balanced liquid meal on mesenteric blood flow was measured in six matched patients and controls. RESULTS: In fasting SSc patients, there were reductions in mean SMA diameter (P<0.001), blood flow (213+/-92 vs 398+/-125 ml/min in controls, P<0.0001) and pulsatility index (3.49+/-1.0 vs 4.13+/-0.97 in controls, P<0.07). In both groups, the meal increased basal flow values and the differences between controls and patients in the fasting state were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of symptoms of small bowel involvement, reversible SMA vasoconstriction is demonstrable in the fasting state in SSc patients.
Colour Doppler ultrasonography; Mesenteric artery; Mesenteric blood flow; Systemic sclerosis
Settore MED/09 - Medicina Interna
lug-2002
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/22505
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