Primary Sjogren's syndrome: rarity in India

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is rarely reported from India. We have studied the clinical spectrum and immunological profile of patients with primary SS.

A prospective analysis of patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome fulfilling San Francisco criteria, seen at our clinic in the last 10 years was carried out.

The study included 26 patients, 21 being women. The presenting symptoms included dry eyes, dry mouth, and arthritis/arthralgia. Extra-glandular manifestations were glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, renal tubular acidosis and peripheral neuropathy. The important laboratory abnormalities were hypergammaglobulinaemia (16/20), antinuclear antibodies (18/26), anti-La (11/19) and anti-Ro (10/19). Minor salivary gland provided a definitive diagnosis in 16/26 (60%).

The prevalence of primary Sjogren's syndrome is rare even in tertiary care rheumatology clinics. The clinical and immunological profile as seen here is similar to that reported in Western countries.