Obesity in primary Sjögren's disease.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Metabolic Health and Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Primary Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder.
• The prevalence and impact of obesity in SjD patients are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of obesity in primary Sjögren's disease.
• To assess the association between obesity and clinical features, disease activity, damage, and symptoms in SjD.

Main Methods:

• A transversal study included 91 patients with primary Sjögren's disease.
• Demographics, comorbidities, clinical, and serologic variables were recorded.
• Obesity was assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and body fat mass index (FMI) via bioimpedance analysis.

Main Results:

• Obesity prevalence varied from 19.7% (BMI) to 52.7% (WHR).
• Obese patients (by BMI) showed a higher prevalence of anti-Ro/SSA antibodies.
• Obesity, particularly central obesity, was associated with disease damage (SSDDI).

Conclusions:

• Approximately 20% of SjD patients are obese by BMI, rising to 40% with bioimpedance analysis.
• Obesity did not significantly affect SjD symptoms or disease activity.
• Obesity may be linked to increased disease damage in Sjögren's disease, suggesting potential benefits of weight management.