Reumatismo (Sep 2017)

The clinical spectrum of primary Sjögren’s syndrome: beyond exocrine glands

  • M.C. Leone,
  • A. Alunno,
  • G. Cafaro,
  • V. Valentini,
  • E. Marcucci,
  • E. Bartoloni,
  • R. Gerli

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4081/reumatismo.2017.1032
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 69, no. 3
pp. 93 – 100

Abstract

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Although primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a mild indolent chronic disease mainly characterized by mucosal dryness in the majority of cases, a consistent subgroup of patients display extra-glandular manifestations. Virtually any organs and systems can be affected, leading to a more serious disease prognosis. Therefore, the prompt identification of patients at higher risk of extra-glandular manifestations is necessary to start a thorough follow up and an aggressive treatment. The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of epidemiological, clinical and serological features of extra-glandular manifestations in pSS as well as current knowledge about putative biomarkers useful in clinical practice.

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