Selection of Publications by the Penn Sjögren's Center

"Perioperative Management of Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome" ScienceDirect, November 2019.

1. The perioperative period can be a high-risk time for infections and other adverse outcomes. Several specific factors should be considered in patients with Sjögren's syndrome who are undergoing surgery. This chapter will address some of these factors, including oral and ocular health, the management of extra glandular manifestations, and the management of immunosuppressive medications.

"Lack of Specificity in Testing for Murine Tissue Specific Autoantibodies for Diagnosis of Sjogren’s Syndrome" American College of Rheumatology, American College of Rheumatology Meeting Abstracts, October 2018.

1. A group of murine parotid tissue specific autoantibodies (TSAs) which includes anti-SP1 (salivary protein 1), anti-PSP (parotid secretory protein) and anti-CA6 (carbonic anhydrase) are markers for early disease in the IL-14α transgenic mouse model of Sjogren’s (SS). These TSAs are also found in NOD mice, patients (pts) classified with SSA+ or – Sjogren’s according to the American European Consensus Group criteria and in patients with idiopathic dry eyes.
2. The presence of ≥ 1 TSAs in the serum does not distinguish between established SS and other patient groups. The value of the serum assay, as presently performed, for confirmation of early or undiagnosed SS (≤ 3 years) in humans is doubtful given the lack of assay specificity. Assay of TSAs in saliva or calculation of a saliva/serum TSA ratio may prove to be a more valuable diagnostic test.

"PROMIS Provides a Broader Overview of Health-Related Quality of Life in Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome" PubMed, January 2019.

Dr. Dana Direnzo

1. Sjögren syndrome (SS) has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We sought to evaluate how the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) domains in SS may supplement the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI).
2. PROMIS instruments identified a high disease burden of pain interference, fatigue, and physical function. PROMIS-F strongly predicted PROMIS-APS. PROMIS-PI and PROMIS-F scores correlated highly with their respective ESSPRI domains. PROMIS instruments should be considered to identify relevant HRQOL patterns in SS.

“Pulmonary Involvement in Sjögren's Syndrome” PubMed, September 2019.

Dr. Chadwick Johr

1. Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a progressive autoimmune disease characterized by dryness, predominantly of the eyes and mouth, caused by chronic lymphocytic infiltration of the lacrimal and salivary glands. Extra glandular inflammation can lead to systemic manifestations, many of which involve the lungs. Studies in which lung involvement is defined as requiring the presence of respiratory symptoms and either radiograph or pulmonary function test abnormalities quote prevalence estimates of 9% to 22%. The most common lung diseases that occur in relation to SS are airways disease and interstitial lung disease. Evidence-based guidelines to inform treatment recommendations for lung involvement are largely lacking.

"Sjögren's Disease: An Update on Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management of Sjögren's from a Rheumatologist’s Perspective” 

22nd Biennial Cornea, Conference, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, November 2018.

1. Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. It may exist as either a primary syndrome or as a secondary syndrome when associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis and primary biliary cirrhosis.
2. While SS was once considered a rare disease, it is now considered the second most common autoimmune disease, after rheumatoid arthritis. Its prevalence is estimated at 1% (0.1 – 4.8%) with an incidence of 7 per 100,000 in the United States. It is felt that roughly 4 million Americans have SS with 90% of them being women and 50% of them having SS in association with another autoimmune disease.