THU0272 FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS IN WOMEN WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with multisystemic involvement. Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are frequent in patients with SLE, but functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), a heterogeneous group of GI diseases have hardly been evaluated in SLE patients. Objectives We evaluated the prevalence of FGIDs in SLE patients compared with age-matched controls and the role of potential risk factors for FGIDs. Methods SLE patients who met the ACR classification criteria for SLE and age-matched controls completed the Rome III questionnaire to assess the prevalence of FGIDs. Exclusion criteria were organic gastrointestinal disorders. Patients completed a structured interview to assess sociodemographic, clinical and treatment variables. Logistic multivariate analysis was performed to determine potential clinical factors (alcohol ingestion and medications) for FGIDS. Results The study responders included 116 SLE patients and 122 controls. The prevalence of FGIDs was higher in SLE patients than in controls (74.1% vs. 54.1%; p= 0.01). The most frequent FGIDs were nausea and vomiting disorders, belching disorders and globus pharyngeus. Anorectal disorders, mainly anorectal pain, were more frequent in SLE patients than controls (14.7% vs. 5.7%). After adjusting for confounding variables, SLE was associated with globus pharyngeus (OR: 3.5, 95%CI: 1.3-9.3), functional heartburn (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5-4.4), nausea and vomiting disorders (OR 7.1, 95% CI 2.7-19.1) and anorectal disorders (OR: 3.4, 95% CI 1.4-8.4). Overlap symptoms were present in 69.8% of patients vs. 31.8% of controls. When only SLE patients were evaluated, glucocorticoid therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were associated with any FGID and functional bowel disorders, while alcohol ingestion was associated with gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi disorders. Conclusion There is a higher prevalence of FGIDs in patients with SLE and a wider distribution of various GI tract symptoms compared with controls. Medication that may alter gastrointestinal homeostasis, such as NSAIDs and protein pump inhibitors, were associated with FGIDs in SLE patients. Disclosure of Interests None declared