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Ischaemia of the small intestine in patients with systemic sclerosis: Raynaud's phenomenon or chronic vasculopathy?

Ischaemia of the small intestine in patients with systemic sclerosis: Raynaud's phenomenon or chronic vasculopathy?

Authors :
Kaye SA
Seifalian AM
Lim SG
Hamilton G
Black CM
Source :
QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians [QJM] 1994 Aug; Vol. 87 (8), pp. 495-500.
Publication Year :
1994

Abstract

We investigated duodenal and gastric mucosal blood flow by endoscopic laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in ten patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and in ten healthy volunteers. In addition, we tested for the presence of small bowel bacterial overgrowth by jejunal aspiration. Jejunal aspiration and LDF were done consecutively, via a gastroscope, using a flexible catheter and laser Doppler probe. Following these procedures, two duodenal biopsies were obtained for light and electron microscopy. Mean duodenal and gastric blood flow were significantly lower in patients with SSc than in normal subjects (516 flux units vs. 240, 521 vs. 202, both p < 0.001). There was no correlation between age and blood flow in patients or volunteers. Four of the ten patients had evidence of significant bacterial overgrowth on jejunal aspiration (> 10(5) colony-forming units/ml). These findings support the hypothesis that within the small intestine of patients with SSc, factors independent of bacterial overgrowth may be responsible for malabsorption. The observed reduction in small-intestine mucosal blood flow may play an important contributory role. Further studies are required to determine whether this represents reversible or chronic progressive ischaemia, and its effect on nutrient absorption.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1460-2725
Volume :
87
Issue :
8
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
7922302