Anorectal dysfunction and delayed colonic transit in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis

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Abstract
We studied 14 unselected patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), six with constipation, and eight with normal bowel habits. A control group, matched for age and sex, comprised six patients with idiopathic constipation and seven healthy subjects. Anorectal manometry was performed with perfused catheters and segmental colonic transit was measured by a radiopaque marker technique. The resting pressure of the anal canal was significantly reduced in PSS with constipation (PPP<0.05). In patients with PSS, colonic transit was delayed and anal sphincter function was impaired in constipated patients, suggesting involvement of both the colon and the anorectum by the disease.