In 20 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 24 healthy controls, gallbladder motility was evaluated by abdominal ultrasonography after stimulation by a standard liquid meal. Results from patients with normal and disturbed oesophageal function were analysed separately in order to investigate the significance of gallbladder motility as a parameter for gastrointestinal involvement in SSc. All patients showed a marked decrease in gallbladder size after stimulation (patients 61 +/- 13%; controls 48 +/- 12%). Patients with oesophageal dysfunction (n = 12) had a slightly lower gallbladder contraction (maximal decrease = 58 +/- 13%) when compared to patients with normal oesophageal function (n = 8; 66 +/- 13%); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Gallbladder motility in patients with SSc was not reduced when compared with healthy controls. SSc-induced oesophageal dysfunction was not associated with impaired gallbladder motility. Thus, measurement of gallbladder emptying is not a helpful tool when looking for gastrointestinal involvement in SSc.