Systemic sclerosis manifesting as intractable gastro-oesophageal reflux and diarrhoea: a case report from Kenya

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a rare condition that has not been well reported in Africa, and several multisystemic manifestations, including gastrointestinal ones, have not been well documented locally. We present an unusual case of persistent gastro-oesophageal reflux and diarrhoea in a 74-year-old Kenyan female, who progressively developed abdominal distention, dysphagia and Raynaud´s phenomenon. Stool tests were unremarkable, whereas antinuclear antibody, ribonucleoproteins antibody (anti-nRNP/Sm) and anti-Sjögren's-syndrome-related antigen A autoantibody (anti-SSA) tests were positive. Endoscopic and imaging investigations revealed features of gastrointestinal dysmotility including reflux oesophagitis, gastroparesis and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. A diagnosis of systemic sclerosis was made, and she responded well to medical treatment. We present this case to contribute to the limited literature of a disease associated with high morbidity and mortality, as well as encourage fellow clinicians to have a high level of suspicion in their differentials of persistent gastrointestinal dysmotility.