Sjögren’s Disease FocusRheum

Although dryness and other symptoms of Sjögren’s disease continue to vex patients, the prospect of new treatments and a recent name change demonstrate advances in patient care.

Nipocalimab, an investigational monoclonal antibody that blocks FcRn and reduces levels of circulating immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, has received the FDA’s breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of Sjögren’s disease.

The Case A 47-year-old woman presented with a one-year history of bilateral submandibular gland swelling, mild symptoms of xerostomia and xerophthalmia and arthralgias in her fingers. A review of systems was otherwise unremarkable. On physical examination, her submandibular glands on both sides were enlarged and had a firm texture. Her parotid glands were normal, as…

St.Clair et al. found that patients with Sjögren’s disease treated with dazodalibep experienced greater improvement in key symptoms of dryness, fatigue and pain than patients who received placebo.

PHILADELPHIA—Whether due to Sjögren’s disease or something else, dry mouth is a common chief complaint from patients with rheumatic illnesses. Dry mouth isn’t life-threatening, but it can have a serious impact on quality of life. Sialogogues like cevimeline and pilocarpine may benefit some, but not all, patients, but cholinergic side effects often limit their usefulness….

PHILADELPHIA—At ACR Convergence 2022, the much-anticipated ACR Review Course featured talks from eight experts. Topics reflected the heterogeneity of our field and included Sjögren’s disease, spondyloarthritis (SpA), osteoarthritis (OA), paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes, metabolic bone disease, statin myopathy, Raynaud’s phenomenon and autoinflammatory syndrome. Here, I share highlights from this comprehensive, six-hour session. Sjögren’s Disease Sara S….

PHILADELPHIA—At the second Plenary Session of ACR Convergence on Sunday, Nov. 13, speakers shared compelling efficacy and safety results from two phase 2 trials: remibrutinib for Sjögren’s syndrome and deucravacitinib for moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus. Remibrutinib in Phase 2 Sjögren’s Syndrome Trial Thomas Dörner, MD, a professor of rheumatology and clinical immunology for…

Lung disease is common, variable and frequently underdiagnosed in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome. An expert pulmonologist and a rheumatologist discussed the diagnosis and management of pulmonary manifestations of Sjögren’s syndrome during ACR Convergence 2021.

Labial salivary gland biopsy (i.e., lip biopsy) is a useful tool to help diagnose Sjögren’s syndrome in suspected patients, but most rheumatologists are not trained to perform the minimally invasive procedure. A new, 40-minute training video and slide presentation with step-by-step instructions may help them fill that critical skill gap. Two rheumatologists collaborated to create…

New and updated FY22 diagnosis codes became effective for encounters on or after Oct. 1, 2021, including key updates for Sjögren syndrome and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.