Primary Sjögren's Syndrome in North East England-a Longitudinal Study

Abstract

We have documented the initial clinical features of 100 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) together with the results of their baseline investigations. The evolution of the disease in these patients has been followed for a median of 34 months (range 3-84 months). The majority of patients were females aged 40-60 years, and common clinical features included eye symptoms (100%), xerostomia (100%), polyarthralgia (94%), Raynaud's phenomenon (81%) and salivary gland swelling (47%). Thyroid disease was relatively common (14%) while other endocrine disease was rare. Four patients died during follow-up, and three cases of lymphoma were detected. Other serious complications included pericarditis (10%), pleuroparenchymal lung disease (9%), renal tubular acidosis (3%) and cerebrovascular accidents (2%). The presence of anti-Ro antibodies identifies patients with more severe systemic disease. Spontaneous improvement occurred in 12 patients, while steroids were required for specific complications in 18. Overall, although lymphoma was found to excess in our group, the high mortality reported with primary SS elsewhere was not seen.

Neurological complications of primary Sjögren's syndrome

“…PSS affects primarily middle-aged women [29] and our series agreed with this rule except for a significant older mean age in the Neurological group (68 versus 48 years, p < 0,001) ( Table 1). This point might be explained by the fact that axonal polyneuropathy predominated (7/11 patients) in that group.…”

“…In previous series using less precise criteria than those of the European Classification, the occurrence of neurological complications ranged from 12 % [29] to 70 % [39]. In our non selected consecutive Internal Medicine group studied prospectively, neurological complications were frequent and affected 10/25 (40 %) patients.…”

Detection and recognition thresholds to the 4 basic tastes in Mexican patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

“…The salivary and lacrimal glands are the main targets of this disease leading to dryness of the mouth (xerostomia) and of the eyes (xerophtalmia). Xerostomia occurs in about 95% of pSS patients (Fox & Howell, 1986;Kelly & Foster, 1991) and common signs include thirst and burning sensations, inflammation of the tongue (glossitis) and lips (cheilitis), cracking of the corners of the lips (cheilosis), geographic tongue, difficulties to chew and swallow (dysphagia), severe dental caries, progressive dental decay, difficulties to wear dentures and nocturnal oral discomfort (Kolsen-Petersen, 1986;Tsianos & Vasakos, 1986;van der Reijden et al, 1999). It has also been reported that pSS patients may develop disturbances in smell perception (dysosmia) (Weiffenbach & Fox, 1993) and in taste acuity (dysgeusia) (Weiffenbach et al, 1986).…”

Estimated Prevalence of Sjogren's Syndrome in Japan : Findings from a Nationwide Epidemiological Survey

“…2,17,19,20) ; about 90% or more of the patients were women, and the mode of age appeared in 40-59 years. This particular finding suggests that our series certainly have common demographic features to those in the previous studies, though diagnostic criteria applied were different from study to study.…”