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

Sjögren’s Disease

ICD-10 Code Change Proposed

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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…

Mouse Model Suggests Regulatory T Cells Play Important Role in Sjögren’s Syndrome Pathophysiology

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Recent research investigated the progression and characteristics of Sjögren’s syndrome using mice engineered to lack special genome organizing AT-rich sequence binding protein-1 (SATB1). These mice proved to be a novel model for Sjögren’s syndrome and revealed T cell-dominant immune cell infiltration of the salivary glands. Over time, the frequency of B cells gradually increased, as well as the levels of anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies…

Ultrasound of Salivary Glands May Have Role in Diagnosing Sjogren’s

Reuters Staff  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Ultrasonography of the major salivary glands may have a role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with clinically suspected primary Sjogren’s syndrome, researchers from the Netherlands report. Salivary gland biopsies and anti-SSA/Ro antibodies are important for classifying patients as primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS). Some studies have also supported using ultrasonography of the…

Rituximab for Fatigue & Oral Dryness in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

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These researchers investigated whether rituximab, an anti-B cell therapy, improves symptoms of fatigue and oral dryness in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial included a health economic analysis. There were no significant improvements in any outcome measure with rituximab except for unstimulated salivary flow. The study concludes that rituximab is neither clinically effective nor cost effective in this patient population…

Clinical Guidelines for Sjögren’s Syndrome Focus on Biologics, Fatigue, Inflammatory Musculoskeletal Pain

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The first clinical practice guidelines for Sjögren’s syndrome have been released, the culmination of an initiative by the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation.1 These standard-of-care recommendations are intended to provide consistency in practice patterns, inform coverage and reimbursement policies, lead to the design and implementation of educational programs, highlight the needs for future research and fill a…

Innate Immune Response Predicts Development of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in Sjögren’s Syndrome

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The P2X7 receptor inflammasome axis may have a role in the pathogenesis of Sjögren’s syndrome and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. According to new research, patients with Sjögren’s syndrome who developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma had an increased expression of the P2X7R-inflammasome axis and the glandular expression of IL-18, suggesting a possible novel biomarker…

Sjögren’s Awareness Month: Educate Patients, Families, Caregivers

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April is Sjögren’s Awareness Month, a time for rheumatologists to help educate the public and themselves about Sjögren’s syndrome and its diagnosis. With newly published clinical practice guidelines, Nancy Carteron, MD, encourages rheumatologists to be first responders for this patient population…