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Autoimmune diseases are diseases that cause the immune system to attack and destroy the body's own tissues. Lupus erythematosus (LE) and Sjogren's syndrome are both autoimmune diseases. LE is a connective tissue disease that causes skin lesions (red and inflamed spots). When the disease progresses and spreads to organ systems, such as the kidneys, heart and lymph glands, it is called systemic LE (SLE). It is not uncommon for a person with LE to have Sjogren's syndrome. This syndrome causes mucous membranes, salivary glands, and lacrimal glands (tear glands) to become dry. It is thought to be a type of collagen disease, which mostly affects postmenopausal women. Recent reports have described cases of Japanese patients with Sjogren's syndrome who also had red, ring-shaped spots (annular erythema) on their skin. This article describes the case report of a 40-year-old Asian man who developed large red spots on his face, back and legs. During the following three months he lost 15 pounds and became fatigued. He did not have any of the usual symptoms of SLE. When blood tests, skin sensitivity tests to ultraviolet light, and tear gland tests were performed, the patient was diagnosed with both SLE and Sjogren's syndrome. This case report illustrates the fact that patients who develop annular erythema should be tested for SLE and Sjogren's syndrome. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sjogren's syndrome is a disorder characterized by rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease), xerostomia (dryness of the mouth), and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (congestion and dryness of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eye and lids). This syndrome usually develops in postmenopausal women and is thought to be a disease of collagen, a structural fiber-like protein. Patients with Sjogren's syndrome may develop myositis, inflammation of the muscle tissue. A case is described of a 65-year-old woman with Sjogren's syndrome and myositis, who responded to treatment with the drug cyclophosphamide, which was given intravenously in pulse doses. The patient developed inflammation, pain, and weakness of the muscle three years after the onset of symptoms of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Microscopic tissue examination of the muscle revealed several abnormalities, including muscle tissue death, ingestion of muscle fibers by phagocytic cells, and some degree of muscle regeneration. Treatment with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide resulted in reduction of symptoms, as indicated by clinical, biochemical, and tissue tests. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abstract A 48 year old woman was referred to hospital for buccal discomfort. Physical examination showed a macroglossia and features of xerostomia. She was diagnosed as having primary Sjogren's syndrome [...]

Connective tissue diseases are often associated with impaired secretion from exocrine glands, which secrete through ducts to the outside. Impaired secretion of the lacrimal, or tear, and salivary glands results in dry eyes and mouth. This condition is known as secondary Sjogren's syndrome and occurs with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or joint inflammation, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic inflammatory disease of connective tissue, progressive systemic sclerosis, a thickening of organs and tissues, and mixed connective tissue diseases. Primary Sjogren's syndrome is not associated with connective tissue disorders. Studies show that the saliva of patients with Sjogren's syndrome has increased levels of anionic (negatively-charged) proteins, which occur more commonly in secondary Sjogren's syndrome and are detected in patients with RA. Saliva was sampled from 32 patients with RA, 10 with SLE, 3 with mixed connective tissue disease, 12 with progressive systemic sclerosis, 2 with primary Sjogren's syndrome, and 4 with Raynaud's syndrome, a disorder characterized by abnormal blood vessel constriction. The findings demonstrate that saliva of patients with connective tissue diseases contained increased amounts of immunoreactive tissue kallikrein, particularly anionic forms due to higher sialic acid content. Tissue kallikreins are enzymes normally present in saliva. Changes were most obvious in patients with SLE. Abnormalities of glycosylation, a chemical reaction involving sugar groups, may be responsible for increased levels of anionic salivary proteins in connective tissue disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)