title: The arthropathy of Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: The clinical course of 48 patients with primary SS has been reviewed with particular reference to the articular manifestations. The incidence of arthritis and/or arthralgia was 54%. In a third of these patients it was a presenting feature and preceded sicca symptoms. The arthropathy tended to be polyarticular, the most frequent joint involved being the knee. It was symmetrical in 55% of cases. Joint symptoms or signs were intermittent, lasting less than a month in 55% of cases. The acute onset of purpuric vasculitis was associated with an acute arthritis in four out of the nine patients with such a vasculitis. Joint deformity was unusual, ulnar deviation occurring in only six patients. Hand X-rays obtained from primary SS patients revealed evidence of joint erosions in 33% of PIP joints, 27% of MCP joints and 12% of wrist joints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Charing Cross Hospital, London.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Pease
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shattles
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Maini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001175:Arthrography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011695:IgA Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007596:Joints / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology