Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Involvement: Understanding the Interplay of Motility, the Microbiome, and Nutrition

Over 90% of patients with systemic sclerosis develop gastrointestinal disease. Involvement of the lower gastrointestinal tract, including the small intestine, colon, and anorectum is common and may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This chapter will focus on providing a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, approach to diagnosis, as well as the management of systemic sclerosis-related manifestations of the lower gastrointestinal tract.