Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands. It can present as an entity by itself, primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), or in addition to another autoimmune disease, secondary Sjögren's syndrome (sSS). pSS has a strong female propensity and is more prevalent in Caucasian women, with the mean age of onset usually in the 4...

BACKGROUND The clinical characteristics of autoimmune autonomic neuropathy are only partially defined. More than 50% of patients with high levels of ganglionic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) autoantibodies have a combination of sicca complex (marked dry eyes and dry mouth), abnormal pupillary light response, upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms, and neurogenic bladder. OBJECTIVE To compare pa...

We compared the relative value of the tear film breakup time, Schirmer test, lactoferrin immunologic assay and rose bengal staining in 156 patients with varying severity of symptoms characteristic of keratoconjunctivitis sicca and in 39 controls. Statistical analysis showed that in patients with minimal ocular irritation the Schirmer test in combination with the lactoferrin immunologic assay pr...

Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis (HPP) may occur as a rare complication of Sjogren Syndrome (SS) and Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA). A 64-year male patient came with HPP, and was later diagnosed with distal RTA. The patient, who had no xerostomia and xerophthalmia, was diagnosed with primary SS from serologic and histologic findings of minor salivary gland biopsy. The patient recovered after potass...

Tubulointerstitial nephritis complicated by primary Sjögren’s syndrome in a patient under treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in the early stage of the disease by renal biopsy. The symptoms of primary Sjögren’s syndrome, such as thirst and polydipsia, were masked by the characteristic symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus. An association between sicca symptoms and diabetes melli...

OBJECTIVES To investigate whether differences in T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 cell activity in salivary glands ("local") or ("peripheral") blood can discriminate between Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and non-Sjögren's sicca syndrome (nSS-sicca). Additionally, to study relationships of local and peripheral Th cell activities with each other and with disease activity measures. METHODS 62 sicca patients (3...

A 40-year-old Korean man presented with painful swelling and tenderness of both ankle joints as well as the plantar surfaces of both feet, along with inflammatory back pain, and a purulent discharge from the urethral orifice. The patient also complained of sicca-like symptoms including dry eyes and dry mouth. An immunological analysis revealed a high titer of rheumatoid factor, positive results...

We compared the clinical and serological characteristics of 15 patients with onset of systemic lupus erythematosus after the age of 50 with those of 232 younger patients. The sex distribution was similar in both groups. All 15 patients were Caucasian. Autoimmune thyroiditis was found in 20% of the elderly patients. Initial manifestations, which presented more frequently in the older group, incl...

OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiological features of Primary Sjogren's syndrome (PSS) with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. METHODS A retrospective case series of 12 female patients with PSS and CNS involvement at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 1991-2009. The diagnosis of PSS is defined by the American...