Exocrine pancreatic function in Sjögren's syndrome

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Immunology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily affecting exocrine glands.
• Exocrine pancreatic dysfunction is a potential complication of SS, but its prevalence and characteristics are not fully understood.

Observation:

• Pancreatic function was assessed in 19 SS patients using N-benzoyl-tyrosil-p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) tests, serum immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) levels, and stool fat measurements.
• Exocrine pancreatic impairment was detected in 63% of the participants.
• Three secretory patterns were identified: normal PABA/IRT, normal PABA/elevated IRT, and low PABA/elevated IRT.

Findings:

• Elevated serum IRT levels were a common marker for pancreatic dysfunction in SS patients.
• Pancreatic impairment severity correlated with disease duration and salivary flow alterations.
• Two patients with low PABA test results and elevated IRT levels exhibited steatorrhea.

Implications:

• Periodic monitoring of serum IRT levels is recommended for early detection of pancreatic involvement in SS patients.
• Understanding exocrine pancreatic alterations in SS can guide clinical management and improve patient outcomes.
• Further research into the mechanisms linking SS and pancreatic dysfunction is warranted.