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Updated: Jan 16, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of Inflammation in the Co-occurrence of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome and Lung Adenocarcinoma
Published on: September 20, 2024
Sjogren's Disease and Elevated Cardiovascular Risk: Mechanisms and Treatment
Jennifer Behbodikhah1, Billy Ding1, Belin Jacob1
1Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY 11501, USA.
Insights
Sjogren's Disease (SjD) may accelerate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, despite often being underrecognized. This review explores SjD's impact on heart health, potential mechanisms, and monitoring tools.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Autoimmune disorders accelerate atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis are linked to increased CVD.
- Sjogren's Disease (SjD) has an indolent course, with its chronic inflammatory burden and CVD risk often underrecognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the association between Sjogren's Disease and cardiovascular disease.
- To explore potential risk factors and mechanisms linking SjD to accelerated CVD.
- To discuss the impact of CVD and SjD treatments on heart health and monitoring subclinical atherosclerosis in SjD patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating cardiovascular disease in Sjogren's Disease.
- Analysis of potential mechanisms contributing to CVD in SjD.
- Evaluation of current treatment impacts and monitoring tools for subclinical atherosclerosis.
Main Results:
- Conflicting results exist regarding the direct link between SjD and CVD.
- SjD's chronic inflammation may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis.
- Standard treatments for both CVD and SjD may influence cardiovascular outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between Sjogren's Disease and cardiovascular disease requires further elucidation.
- Identifying and managing CVD risk factors in SjD patients is crucial.
- Clinically relevant tools for monitoring subclinical atherosclerosis are important for SjD patient care.
Abstract:
Autoimmune disorders are known to accelerate atherosclerosis, increasing the rate of cardiovascular disease. As the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in the general population, this risk is only enhanced in inflammatory conditions. Substantial evidence links increased cardiovascular disease to systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. However, Sjogren's Disease (SjD) tends to follow a more indolent disease course, and its chronic inflammatory burden is often underrecognized. Pharmacologic agents are also limited and symptom management is often the mainstay of treatment. The majority of studies investigating cardiovascular disease in SjD show conflicting results. In this review, we shed some light on the association of SjD and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, we also explore potential risk factors and mechanisms through which SjD may accelerate cardiovascular disease. We address the impact of standard CVD and SjD treatments on heart health and highlight clinically relevant tools for monitoring subclinical atherosclerosis in the SjD patient population.
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