ACR Convergence 2023| ANCA-Associated Vasculitis| Psoriatic Arthritis

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

Sjögren’s Disease

Insights into Celiac Disease & Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

  |  

Little is known about the immunopathogenic relationship between celiac disease and systemic autoimmune diseases, such as primary Sjögren’s syndrome and systemic sclerosis. But new research indicates that screening for celiac disease may benefit patients newly diagnosed with systemic autoimmune diseases, as well as supports the idea that celiac disease may accelerate the development of systemic autoimmune disease…

Initial Sjögren’s Manifestations Can Go Beyond Dry Eyes & Mouth

Mohammad A. Ursani, MD, RhMSUS, & Jaecel Shah, MD  |  

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome is a systemic autoimmune condition noted for findings of xerostomia, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and focal lymphocyte infiltrate in salivary glands.1 In the initial publications regarding keratoconjunctivitis sicca, Henrik Sjögren, a Swedish ophthalmologist, described a group of 19 women with dry eyes, some of whom had other organ dryness and inflammatory infiltrates.2,3 The syndrome…

2 Markers May Help Predict Who will Progress to Sjögren’s

  |  

Physicians already know a great deal about Sjögren’s syndrome’s symptoms and potential complications, and a new study confirms data on two long-suspected predictors of progression (i.e., measurable phenotypic findings) that could show which patients are likely to progress to active disease: hypergamma­globulinemia and hypocomplementemia. Published in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research, “Natural…

ICD-10 Code Change Proposed

  |  

On Sept. 12, the ACR and the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation presented an ICD-10 code change request for Sjögren’s syndrome to the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee (C&M) at the CMS office in Baltimore. The request is intended to clarify ICD-10 M35.0: sicca syndrome [Sjögren]. Why Change the Code? The rationale behind this significant change request…

Epratuzumab May Work for SLE Subgroups

Larry Beresford  |  

A recent analysis of the monoclonal antibody epratuzumab finds new evidence for its effectiveness in a subset of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who have a concurrent diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome, a progressive autoimmune disease that affects exocrine glands and is characterized by dry eyes and mouth.1 Sjögren’s can be primary, meaning independent of other…

Sialendoscopy Enhances Salivary Flow in Sjogren’s Syndrome

Will Boggs MD  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Sialendoscopy with irrigation of the major salivary glands can enhance salivary flow and reduce xerostomia in patients with Sjogren’s syndrome, according to a randomized trial. “In our study it is suggested that patients with recent onset of Sjogren’s syndrome and with residual salivary gland capacity could benefit from sialendoscopy,” said Dr. Derk…