title: An analysis of the frequency of Sjogren's syndrome in a population of multiple sclerosis patients.
abstract: We have studied 42 unselected patients with a clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) for clinical and laboratory features of Sjogren's syndrome (SS). The MS patients in this study had similar demographic/epidemiologic features as those previously reported in the literature. The most striking features of the MS patients suggesting a SS diathesis was the presence of dry eyes (xeropthalmia) in six (14%). Although 2/6 of the symptomatic patients and 6/36 of the asymptomatic patients had abnormal tear production (Schirmer's test) this was accounted for by the concomitant use of anti-cholinergic medication. None of the MS patients had autoantibodies (SS-A/Ro, SS-B/La, rheumatoid factor) thought to be characteristic of SS. We conclude that SS, either in isolation or occurring in combination with MS, is uncommon in an MS outpatient setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Calgary General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Canada.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Seland
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fritzler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000009:adverse effects; D044469:Racial Groups; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D010276:Parasympatholytics