<scp>GAVE</scp> in Systemic Sclerosis: A Japanese Cohort Study Highlighting Links to Diffuse Cutaneous Subtype and Anti‐<scp>RNAPIII</scp> Antibodies
Clinical Summary
View sourceWhat was studied
A retrospective single-center Japanese cohort (2006–2015) of systemic sclerosis patients who underwent upper GI endoscopy to determine the frequency of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) and compare clinical features between those with and without GAVE. Follow-up endoscopy in GAVE cases assessed lesion persistence over 1–8 years.
Key findings
Among 272 SSc patients, 19 (7.0%) had GAVE. GAVE was associated with diffuse cutaneous SSc, shorter disease duration, higher anti–RNA polymerase III positivity (42% vs 9.5%, p<0.001), lower anti-centromere positivity (10.5% vs 45.4%, p<0.001), and more scleroderma renal crisis (16% vs <1%, p<0.001); about half of GAVE lesions disappeared on follow-up over 1–8 years, while the rest persisted.
Study limitations
Retrospective, single-center design and inclusion limited to patients who underwent endoscopy may introduce selection bias. The GAVE subgroup was small (n=19), and effect sizes for disease duration and skin severity were not quantified beyond percentages.
Clinical implications
In SSc—especially early diffuse cutaneous disease with anti–RNA polymerase III antibodies—consider early evaluation for GAVE to prevent bleeding and anemia. Expect variable course; some lesions resolve over years, while others persist.
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