THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS PATIENTS

Authors

  • Ioana BRATOIU ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • Alexandra Maria BURLUI ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • Amelia Elena SURDU ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • T. DRAGOI ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași
  • Elena REZUS ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22551/8kjsps68

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease frequently associated with gastrointestinal (GIT) involvement and malnutrition, which can worsen disease outcomes and quality of life. This study aimed to assess digestive involvement and the prevalence of malnutrition in a group of SSc patients and to evaluate the relationship between malnutrition, symptom burden, and disease activity. Materials and methods: We included 65 patients with SSc. The UCLA GIT 2.0 questionnaire measured the digestive symptom burden. Malnutrition risk was assessed using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores. We analyzed correlations between malnutrition status, disease activity (EUSTAR-AI index), and digestive symptom burden measured by UCLA GIT 2.0 score. Results: Almost 70% of the subjects showed digestive involvement. The prevalence of malnutrition (MNA) was 6.6%, and the risk of malnutrition was 7.7% (MUST). Malnourished individuals experienced significantly higher scores in UCLA (p=0.009), UCLA reflux (p=0.05), UCLA emotional well-being (p=0.001), and UCLA social function (p=0.08), as well as increased disease activity scores (EUSTAR-AI—p=0.027). Conclusions: Digestive involvement and malnutrition are frequent among SSc patients, particularly those with higher disease activity scores and GIT involvement. These results highlight the need for rapid gastrointestinal and nutritional management in SSc to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Author Biographies

  • Ioana BRATOIU, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II) / Rheumatology
    Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital Iasi, Romania

  • Alexandra Maria BURLUI, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II) / Rheumatology
    Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital Iasi, Romania

  • Amelia Elena SURDU, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Faculty of Dental Medicine
    Department of Implantology, removable prostheses and technology

  • T. DRAGOI, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II) / Rheumatology
    Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital Iasi, Romania

  • Elena REZUS, ‟Grigore Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iași

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II) / Rheumatology
    Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital Iasi, Romania

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Additional Files

Published

2025-04-07

Issue

Vol. 129 No. 1 (2025): The Medical-Surgical Journal

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INTERNAL MEDICINE - PEDIATRICS

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