OBJECTIVE To assess the prognosis of patients with sicca symptoms and to identify the clinical and immunological factors that most sensitively predict the later development of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) or other connective tissue diseases. METHODS Eighty seven patients (72 female, 15 male) with sicca symptoms were re-evaluated after a median follow up time of 11 years (range 8-17). The c...

IN patients suffering from kerato-conjunctivitis sicca, occlusion of the lacrimal puncta may be followed by a marked relief of symptoms and an improvement in the appearance of the cornea and conjunctiva. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, for some patients are no better after this procedure and a few may actually develop epiphora. Stallard (1958) has stressed how thorough cautery to th...

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder in which lymphocytes infiltrate the exocrine glands, resulting in the development of sicca symptoms. Lymphocytes may also invade various other organs and cause diverse symptoms. Interstitial pneumonia has been observed frequently in SS patients. Typically, the pneumonia responds well to systemic steroids, and fatal cases are rare. We experienced...

Treatment response to interferon alfa (IFNalpha) is described in three consecutive cases of two forms of Sjogren's syndrome associated neuropathy (SSN)-two with sensory ataxic ganglionopathy and one with sensorimotor neuropathy with demyelinating features. All responded well to IFNalpha in terms of neuropathic symptoms, sicca symptoms, antibody titres, and findings in salivary gland biopsy spec...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS In suspected cases of Sjogren syndrome (SS), patients are often referred for a labial minor salivary gland biopsy. However, studies have shown this test to be unreliable. Pathologic misinterpretation and immunosuppressive medications may affect the results of the biopsy. As a result, it is best to perform this procedure only when necessary. The purpose of the current study...

sicca syndrome (dry eyes, dry mouth), pulmonary arterial hypertension/lung fibrosis, a variety of central and peripheral nervous system-related symptoms, and symmetric proximal muscle weakness and pain. Furthermore, proteinuria, hematuria, and recurrent pleuritis/pericarditis also belong to the disease spectrum of these disorders. Symptoms representing antiphospholipid syndrome (recurrent throm...

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) probably has the dubious distinction of having more proposed criteria than any other rheumatic condition—certainly this was the case in the 1980s and 1990s (eg, Copenhagen, Californian, Greek and Japanese criteria). In 2002, Vitali et al published the revised American European Consensus Group (AECG) criteria, which have now served as the gold standard for over 10...