Does Nasal Secretion Decrease in Sjögren Syndrome and Does This Affect Nasal Function?

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Rheumatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Sjögren syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction.
• Previous research on the effects of Sjögren syndrome on nasal mucosa has been limited and contradictory.
• Objective assessment of nasal mucosal changes and their impact on olfaction in Sjögren syndrome is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively assess nasal dryness in patients with Sjögren syndrome.
• To investigate the relationship between nasal dryness and olfactory function in Sjögren syndrome patients.
• To evaluate mucociliary clearance in individuals with Sjögren syndrome.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 34 primary Sjögren syndrome patients and 21 age/sex-matched controls.
• Nasal cavity dryness assessed using the intranasal Schirmer test.
• Olfactory function evaluated with the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center test.
• Mucociliary clearance measured via saccharin test and peak nasal inspiratory flowmetry.

Main Results:

• Sjögren syndrome patients demonstrated significantly lower intranasal Schirmer test scores, indicating nasal dryness (P=.041 and P=.016).
• Significant differences were observed in nasal dryness (P=.001) and postnasal drip (P=.04) in Sjögren syndrome patients compared to controls.
• A decrease in smell perception was noted in Sjögren syndrome patients (P=.005), though overall olfactory function and mucociliary clearance did not differ between groups.

Conclusions:

• The intranasal Schirmer test objectively confirms nasal cavity dryness in Sjögren syndrome patients, providing a valuable tool for monitoring.
• Despite objective nasal dryness, olfactory function was not significantly impaired in the study cohort.
• Further research may explore the subtle effects on smell and the correlation between nasal dryness and olfactory function.