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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Sjögren’s Disease FocusRheum

Sjögren’s disease achieves the rheumatologic trifecta of a clinically driven diagnosis, heterogenous manifestations and no broadly approved treatments. Justification for the use of outside diagnostic testing—or worse, invasive minor salivary gland biopsy—for a skeptical patient being managed symptomatically requires a certain level of explanatory jujitsu. After more than a decade of glimpses of promising treatments that disappeared on closer inspection, we now have a handful of increasingly evidence-based treatments and recalibrated tools for measuring success. See the articles below for updates on this challenging condition.

FEATURED ARTICLE: New Discoveries in Sjögren’s Disease

Sjögren’s Disease, a Supplement to The Rheumatologist

How to Diagnose Sjögren’s Disease

10 Ways to Manage Dry Mouth

This article discusses 10 expert tips for mitigating dry mouth, a common symptom of Sjögren’s disease & other rheumatic conditions.

Guidelines for ILD in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

Over 50% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) develop interstitial lung disease (ILD), and rheumatologists have long recognized this major cause of morbidity and mortality.1 Sindhu R. Johnson, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada, and director of the Toronto Sclero­derma Program, notes that more recent studies have increased our awareness…

Dazodalibep for Sjögren’s Disease

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

A Sound Diagnosis for Glandular Swelling

In this case study, ultrasonography proves useful for excluding a diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease, leading to a correct diagnosis of IgG4-RD.

Research, Case Reports & More

Experts Discuss Guidelines for Interstitial Lung Disease in Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

Over 50% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) develop interstitial lung disease (ILD), and rheumatologists have long recognized this major cause of morbidity and mortality.1 Sindhu R. Johnson, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, Canada, and director of the Toronto Scleroderma Program, notes that more recent studies have increased our awareness…

Let’s Define Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) is a diagnosis given to patients who do not fulfill current classification criteria for named connective tissue diseases (CTD)—systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), or Sjögren’s disease—but who nonetheless have clinical signs and symptoms and serological evidence of autoimmune CTDs. In 1980 LeRoy et al. were…

Editor's Pick

The ACR and CHEST Release 2 New ILD Guidelines

Clinicians should not rely on glucocorticoids as a first-line treatment of SARD-ILD in patients with systemic sclerosis, according to a strong recommendation in a new ILD treatment guideline from the ACR and CHEST. The guideline is one of two addressing the screening, monitoring and treatment of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs).

Highlights from the ACR Review Course 2022

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….

Phase 2 Trial Results for Sjögren’s Syndrome & SLE Presented in 2nd Plenary Session at ACR Convergence 2022

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…

New Video Shows How to Perform a Lip Biopsy to Diagnose Sjögren’s Syndrome

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…

Fiscal Year 2022 ICD-10-CM Codes Now in Effect

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.