Primary Sjögren's syndrome as independent risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis

To assess the prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and its possible association with clinical and analytical parameters of the disease.

In this cross-sectional study, 38 consecutive patients with pSS were compared with 38 age and sex healthy controls. Demographic variables and classic cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs): Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking habit were assessed in both groups, and also disease-related features were collected in pSS group. The presence of subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by carotid ultrasound, with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) measurement and determination of the presence of atheromatous plaques.

Subclinical atherosclerosis presence was remarkably greater in patients with pSS than in healthy controls (OR = 4.17, 95%CI [1.27-16.54]), as well as CIMT values (0.79 ± 0.43mm vs. 0.66 ± 0.27mm; P = .02). No differences for classic CVRFs were found between both groups. An association of subclinical atherosclerosis with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and rheumatoid factor (RF) was observed in patients with pSS.

This cohort showed a greater prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with pSS, indicating this disease as an independent risk factor for presence of early vascular damage.