Prevalence, clinical characteristics, and hospital course of systemic sclerosis-associated pseudo-obstruction

Abstract

Objective: Gastrointestinal involvement is almost universal in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Enteric dysmotility, at its most severe, can present with pseudo-obstruction. In this study, we aimed to quantify the prevalence of SSc pseudo-obstruction and evaluate risk factors for its development. In a subgroup of patients requiring admission to hospital for acute episodes of pseudo-obstruction, we evaluated the clinical course and treatments administered. Methods: Using data from 1969 Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study (ASCS) participants, we performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify SSc-specific risk factors for pseudo-obstruction. Descriptive statistics were ..