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Sympathetic dysfunction in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
T Mandl1, S V Bornmyr, J Castenfors
1Sjögren's Syndrome Research Centre, Department of Rheumatology, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.
The Journal of Rheumatology
|March 15, 2001
Summary
Patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome exhibit both sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system dysfunction. Autoimmune factors, specifically anti-SSA/SSB antibodies, may impact blood pressure regulation in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Autonomic Neurology
Background:
- Primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily affecting exocrine glands.
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is increasingly recognized in autoimmune conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate autonomic nervous system function in patients with primary SS.
- To correlate ANS findings with clinical and immunological variables in primary SS.
Main Methods:
- Assessed ANS function using finger skin blood flow (vasoconstrictory index), deep-breathing (expiration/inspiration ratio), and tilt table tests.
- Compared results from 30 primary SS patients with age-matched controls.
Main Results:
- Primary SS patients demonstrated impaired sympathetic (increased vasoconstrictory index) and parasympathetic (decreased expiration/inspiration ratio) function.
- Abnormal blood pressure responses during tilt table testing were observed, particularly in patients with anti-SSA/SSB antibodies.
- No significant correlations were found between ANS measures and ophthalmologic or oral assessments.
Conclusions:
- Primary SS is associated with significant sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system dysfunction.
- Immunological factors, such as anti-SSA/SSB antibodies, appear to influence cardiovascular regulation in primary SS.