Rheumatology News & Articles

1 Potential role of human-specific genes, human-specific microRNAs and human-specific non-coding regulatory RNAs in the pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis and Sjogren’s Syndrome Autoimmunity Reviews, May 17, 2013
Jimenez SA et al. - The authors discuss recent evidence supporting the notion that human specific genes or human specific microRNA and other non-coding RNA regulatory elements unique to the human genome may participate in the development or in the pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis and Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome The etiology and pathogenesis of human autoimmune diseases remain unknown despite intensive investigations. Although remarkable progress has been accomplished ...

2 Clinimetric methods in Sjogrens syndrome Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, February 15, 2013
Hernandez-Molina G et al. - The authors reviewed the available methods used to monitor sicca signs and symptoms, fatigue, quality of life as well as activity/chronicity in SS. The heterogeneous nature of the disease and its slow progression, challenge the evaluation of these patients. The use of composite measures might increase the authors' ability to diagnose and evaluate disease activity and cumulative irreversible organ injury in this disease. However the distinction among ...

3 Low levels of vitamin-D are associated with neuropathy and lymphoma among patients with Sjogren’s syndrome Journal of Autoimmunity , February 15, 2013
Agmon-Levin N et al. - The authors aimed to evaluate levels of vitamin-D and their association with manifestations of Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). In this study, low levels of vitamin-D correlated with the presence of peripheral neuropathy and lymphoma among SS patients. The link between vitamin-D and neuropathy or lymphoma was reported in other conditions, and may support a role for vitamin-D in the pathogenesis of these processes. Plausible beneficial effect ...

4 Sjogren's Syndrome in Older Patients: Aetiology, Diagnosis and Management Drugs & Aging, February 11, 2013
Moerman RV et al. – The aims of the treatment of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) are to control glandular and extraglandular manifestations, to prevent damage to organ systems and loss of function, and to decrease morbidity and mortality. Treatment of the elderly can be complicated by co–morbidities, an increased rate of adverse events related to therapeutic agents, and polypharmacy. Therefore, careful follow–up of the treatment is required. Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune ...

5 Diagnostic value of labial minor salivary gland biopsy for Sjogren's syndrome: A systematic review Autoimmunity Reviews, February 5, 2013
Guellec D et al. - The study aims to assess the diagnostic value of minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) for primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). The study indicates a lack of information about the diagnostic value of MSGB. Specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) are high and sensitivity is variable.

6 Pain Severity and Neuropathic Pain symptoms in primary Sjogrens syndrome: A comparison study of seropositive and seronegative Sjogrens syndrome. Arthritis Care & Research , February 1, 2013
Segal BM et al. - To compare clinical characteristics and patient-reported outcomes in seropositive versus seronegative primary Sjogren's syndrome patients (pSS) and to investigate the effect of serological status on the prevalence of chronic pain, comorbidity and health quality. Chronic pain is pervasive in both seropositive and seronegative pSS patients, while pain severity and functional impairment is greater in seronegative patients. Neuropathic pain is equally prevalent and ...

7 Secreted human Ro52 autoantibody proteomes express a restricted set of public clonotypes Journal of Autoimmunity , February 11, 2013
Arentz G et al. - Long-lived secreted autoantibody responses in systemic autoimmunity are generally regarded to be polyclonal and to express a diverse B-cell repertoire. Here, the authors have used a proteomic approach based on de novo sequencing to determine the clonality and V region structures of human autoantibodies directed against a prototypic systemic autoantigen, Ro52 (TRIM21). Remarkably, anti-Ro52 autoantibodies from patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome, ...

8 Emerging avenues linking inflammation, angiogenesis and Sjogren’s syndrome Cytokine, February 13, 2013
Lisi S et al. - Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by an inflammatory mononuclear infiltration and the destruction of epithelial cells of the lachrymal and salivary glands. This work reviews the current knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the inflammatory reactions that characterize SS.

9 Punctal plugs versus artificial tears for treating primary Sjogrens syndrome with keratoconjunctivitis SICCA: a comparative observation of their effects on visual function Rheumatology International, May 7, 2013
Qiu W et al. - To compare the effects of treatment with punctal plugs versus artificial tears on visual function for primary Sjögren’s syndrome with dry eye. Punctal plugs could improve tear film stability and elongate the BUT better than artificial tears. Methods Forty-two eyes of 42 patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome were enrolled and were allocated randomly into artificial tears (AT) group and punctal plugs (PP) group. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) was ...

10 Clinical features distinguishing lymphoma development in primary Sjogrens syndrome--A retrospective cohort study Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, May 10, 2013
Risselada AP et al. - The objective is to determine the relationship between clinical features and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) development in primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS), taking recently designed disease activity/severity scores into account. In the cohort, no clinical manifestation or disease score could clearly select patients with subsequent lymphoma development. Presence of IgM-kappa clonal components and development of purpura, PNP, and GN should alert the ...