Enfermedad de Sjögren

Through basic research on the immune system, autoimmunity, genetics, and connective tissue diseases, researchers continue to learn more about Sjögren’s syndrome. The hope is that a better understanding of the disease and its causes will lead to better treatments and perhaps even prevention.

Some research into Sjögren’s syndrome include the following:

• Genetic studies. Research has discovered that the STAT4 gene variant associated with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus is also associated with Sjögren’s syndrome. This suggests that variants of this gene play a crucial role in autoimmunity.
• Immune system studies. Researchers are investigating the various components of the immune system that may be involved in the autoimmune causes of Sjögren’s syndrome. For example, studies are looking for autoantibodies that are unique to Sjögren’s, and whether blood tests can be developed to detect them. Other research is investigating the role of T cells, another component of the immune system, in Sjögren’s.
• Hormonal factors. Because Sjögren’s syndrome affects mostly women, female reproductive hormones may play a role. Although studies have shown that levels of estrogen and progesterone differ little between women with Sjögren’s syndrome and those without, higher levels of prolactin (a hormone that stimulates the production of milk after childbirth and the production of progesterone in the ovary) are found in women with Sjögren’s syndrome. Research is also looking at how the disease affects men and women differently.
• Prevalence of extraglandular involvement. Studies have shown that neurological involvement and Sjögren’s-related problems with the skin, including alopecia (a condition characterized by hair loss), vitiligo (a condition in which areas of the skin lose their pigment and become white), and vasculitis (a raised rash), may be more common than previously thought. Studies also indicate that identifying and treating these problems in people with Sjögren’s syndrome is an important part of managing the disease. Another study shows that clinical depression is also common among Sjögren’s syndrome patients, and may warrant treatment.
• Predicting lung involvement. Knowing who is at highest risk of certain complications can enable doctors to identify and treat these problems earlier and more appropriately. Investigators are studying proteins that are higher in people who later develop lung problems with primary Sjögren’s syndrome.
• Role of infection. Doctors believe that infections may trigger Sjögren’s syndrome in people genetically predisposed to the disease. Viral infection is under investigation as a possible trigger for Sjögren’s syndrome and other autoimmune diseases.
• Long-term relief for dry mouth. Scientists are exploring regenerative medicine and tissue engineering strategies that may correct the underlying defects in Sjögren’s syndrome.

Researchers continue to explore the genetic and environmental factors that cause Sjögren’s syndrome, with the goal of creating novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is supporting the Oklahoma Sjögren’s Syndrome Center of Research Translation at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research conducts studies to help scientists understand, manage, and treat Sjögren’s syndrome. If you think you might like to take part in a clinical trial, speak with your doctor or check www.clinicaltrials.gov for a listing of trials for which you may be eligible.