Exploring Factors Associated With Psychological Resilience in Sjögren's Disease

This study aimed to examine the factors associated with psychological resilience in Sjögren's disease.

This cross-sectional study included 83 patients (F/M: 79/4). Hyposalivation was observed in 41%, while Schirmer's test positivity was observed in 84.3% of patients. Scores of the Brief Resilience Scale, self-reported general health, self-reported oral health, EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), and physician global assessment for disease activity were noted. A mediation analysis was performed to examine the relationships among these variables.

Lower BRS scores were associated with Schirmer's test positivity and reduced salivary flow rate, higher scores of ESSPRI, physician and patient global assessments of disease activity (p < 0.05). In the simple mediation analysis, a lower BRS score as the dependent variable was directly associated with a higher physician-assessed global disease activity as the independent variable and indirectly associated with the higher ESSPRI score as a mediator variable (p < 0.05).

Since ocular dryness, lower salivary flow rates, physician global assessment of disease activity, and ESSPRI reflecting patient-reported symptom severity were identified as key contributors to lower levels of psychological resilience in Sjögren's disease, these measures may offer clinicians valuable guidance for tailoring more effective, patient-centered integrated multidisciplinary care strategies for patients with SjD.