What are the complications of the enteropathy induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?
NSAID-induced enteropathy is associated with intestinal bleeding, protein loss, ileal dysfunction, and malabsorption. There is no close relationship between upper endoscopic findings and evidence of intestinal bleeding among NSAID-treated patients, even when blood loss has led to iron-deficiency anemia. Chronic blood loss and protein loss seem to occur from the inflammatory site. Protein loss can result in significant hypoalbuminemia. Ileal dysfunction can lead to bile acid malabsorption and, in rare cases, mild vitamin B12 malabsorption. Mefenamic acid (Postel) and sulindac (Clinoril) have been implicated as causes of severe malabsorption with subtotal villus atrophy that resembles celiac disease Does scleroderma produce any manifestations in the small bowel? Patients with scleroderma may have small bowel dysfunction caused by absent cycling of the normal contractile pattern, known as the migrating motor complex. Small bowel motility studies reveal markedly diminished amplitude in all
