Gastro-intestinal permeability is increased in patients with limited systemic sclerosis

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Abstract
Objective: to evaluate gastro-intestinal (GI) permeability in patients with limited systemic sclerosis (LSS) at baseline and after oral acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Methods: 13 patients with LSS and 10 controls were studied. Baseline GI permeability was assessed with orally administered sucrose, mannitol, and lactulose. Gastric lesions and Helicobacter status were investigated by endoscopy. In 5 patients and 6 controls (with normal baseline permeability) the GI permeability response was assessed after oral ASA. Results: compared with controls, gastric (pConclusions: baseline permeability is altered in LSS; the exaggerated response of the small intestine to ASA may represent a genetically determined or a disease-related dysfunction of the mucosal barrier.