Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Isabel M. McFarlane

Publications

• Review Article
  Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis
  Author(s): Isabel M. McFarlane, Manjeet S. Bhamra, Alexandra Kreps, Sadat Iqbal, Firas Al-Ani, Carla Saladini-Aponte, Christon Grant, Soberjot Singh, Khalid Awwal, Kristaq Koci DO, Yair Saperstein, Fray M. Arroyo-Mercado, Derek B. Laskar and Purna AtluriIsabel M. McFarlane, Manjeet S. Bhamra, Alexandra Kreps, Sadat Iqbal, Firas Al-Ani, Carla Saladini-Aponte, Christon Grant, Soberjot Singh, Khalid Awwal, Kristaq Koci DO, Yair Saperstein, Fray M. Arroyo-Mercado, Derek B. Laskar and Purna Atluri
  
  Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by fibroproliferative alterations of the microvasculature leading to fibrosis and loss of function of the skin and internal organs. Gastrointestinal manifestations of SSc are the most commonly encountered complications of the disease affecting nearly 90% of the SSc population. Among these complications, the esophagus and the anorectum are the most commonly affected. However, this devastating disorder does not spare any part of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and includes the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large bowels as well as the liver and pancreas. In this review, we present the current understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of SSc including vasculopathy, endothelial to mesenchymal transformation as well as the autoimmune pathogenetic pathways. We also discuss the clinical presentation and .. View More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2161-1149.1000235

  Abstract PDF

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