[Esophageal motility abnormalities in systemic sclerosis: frequency and predictive factors].

Background: Esophageal involvement is frequent during systemic sclerosis. It consists on esophageal motor abnormalities. Esophageal manometry is the gold standard for the diagnosis.

Aim: To determine the frequency and the type of the esophageal motor abnormalities among patients presenting a systemic sclerosis; and to look for factors associated with a greater risk of theses disorders.

Methods: A retrospective study relating to all the esophageal manometries carried out among patients presenting a systemic sclerosis was undertaken.

Results: During a 12 years period, 128 cases were studied. Esophageal motor abnormalities were found among 97 patients (76%). Specific esophageal involvement was found among 52 patients (42%), and non specific motor abnormalities among 31 patients (24%). The only associated factor with a specific esophageal involvement is occurrence of dysphagia.

Conclusion: Esophageal motor abnormalities are frequent in patients with systemic sclerosis. They can be specific and nonspecific. Esophageal manometry should be systematically performed among these patients, even in the absence of dysphagia.