Gastrointestinal symptoms in scleroderma patients and its influence in body mass index and quality of life

Background: Scleroderma (SSc) gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms may affect nutritional status and patients' quality of life. Objective: To study prevalence of GI symptoms and its relationship to nutritional profile and quality of life of patients with SSc. Methods: Fifty two SSc patients and 51 controls were studied for BMI (body mass index), dietary recall, major GI symptoms and quality of life by SF-12 questionnaire. Results: BMI in scleroderma patients was lower than controls (p=0.02) despite an almost similar food intake. Scleroderma patients had higher prevalence of upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms than controls (heartburn, nausea and vomiting, dysphagia and epigastric pain) that were not associated with BMI (p=0.36) but diminished quality of life (p=0.02) Conclusions: SSc patients have a lower BMI than controls and higher prevalence of GI symptoms that does not affect food intake but diminishes quality of life.