Impaired rectoanal inhibitory response in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis): an association with fecal incontinence.

Gastrointestinal abnormalities in systemic sclerosis (SSc) involve both myogenic and neural mechanisms. The aims of this study were to evaluate the rectoanal inhibitory response (RAIR) in SSc patients and to correlate RAIR with duration and subtype of disease, antibody status, and lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Thirty-five patients with SSc completed a questionnaire and underwent anorectal manometry (ARM).

Adult height in patients with early onset of Crohn's disease.

Background: Growth impairment during childhood and adolescence is a common problem faced by patients with an early onset of Crohn's disease.

Aims: To establish how the final adult height is affected in patients with early onset of symptoms of Crohn's disease.

Methods: Information on height, parental height, and disease history was obtained from 135 patients with Crohn's disease who reached their adult height (men 22-40 years, women 18-40 years) using a questionnaire and by outpatient measurement of height where possible.