Conditions: Systemic Sclerosis
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 22
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
Esophagus is commonly affected in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) and esophageal function is compromised in about 75% of patients. Previous studies have shown that buspirone, an orally available 5-HT1A (serotonin 1a receptor agonist), enhances esophageal motility in healthy volunteers. Recently, the investigators observed that a single dose of buspirone (10mg) improves lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function in patients with SSc and esophageal involvement .

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of continuous administration of buspirone on esophageal dysfunction and related symptoms in SSc using high resolution manometry (HRM).

Detailed description:
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin and other organs especially the gastrointestinal tract. Esophageal involvement occurs in up to 90% of SSc patients. Symptoms of esophageal disease are due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal motor dysfunction. Thus, heartburn, regurgitation and dysphagia have been reported by 80% of SSc patients.

The gold standard method for the assessment and detection of esophageal dysmotility in SSc patients is manometry. High-resolution manometry (HRM) is the most accurate tool to assess esophageal motility using multiple closely spaced (\<2cm) pressure sensors, assessment of esophageal motility is more sensitive ,and allows a better assessment of LES and of the whole esophagus.

Buspirone, an orally available 5-HT1A receptor agonist, exerts a beneficial acute effect on esophageal motor dysfunction and LES pressure and may enhances an important role in improvement of esophageal symptoms in SSc patients. Thus, the investigators will conduct a study to evaluate the putative beneficial long-term effect of buspirone i) on esophageal motor dysfunction and ii) on esophageal symptoms in symptomatic SSc patients.

Arms:
arm 1: 4-weeks buspirone administration (20mg) in patients with SSc and esophageal involvement

Interventions: intervention 1: buspirone
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: buspirone 10 mg X2 for 4 weeks

Protocol document: