The Progress of Oesophageal Involvement in Progressive Systemic Sclerosis during D-Penicillamine Treatment

In 21 patients with initial signs of progressive systemic sclerosis, oesophageal motility was monitored manometrically from the start of D-penicillamine treatment and over a period of up to 5 years. Urinary excretion of the collagen-specific amino acids hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, and of proline was used as a guideline for monitoring the bioavailability of D-penicillamine. D-penicillamine therapy was found to be unable to arrest the progress of oesophageal involvement. A downward trend over time-statistically significant at p=0.03, p=0.02, and p<0.005-was found for lower oesophageal sphincter pressure, peristaltic wave pressure in the distal third, and peristaltic wave pressure in the middle third of the oesophagus, respectively.