title: High frequency of primary Sjögren's syndrome in Taiwanese patients presenting as relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) with central nervous system involvement may mimic the manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). The prevalence of PSS in MS patients varies in the published literature (0-16.6%), but has not yet been investigated in Asia, having a much lower MS prevalence than Western countries. Twelve consecutive patients presenting with a relapsing-remitting MS-like syndrome were recruited to assess the presence of PSS according to the American-European consensus group criteria. Six patients (50%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PSS. The preliminary result suggests that PSS is an important differential diagnosis in patients with MS-like syndrome in Taiwan. The prevalence of 'pure MS' in Taiwan might be even lower than expected. A further large-scale study is warranted to confirm this finding in Taiwan as well as other Asian countries.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Neurology, Chutung Veterans Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan.
authors: Yuh-Jen
authors: YJ
authors: Wang
authors: Kwang-Yang
authors: KY
authors: Tsai
authors: Jong-Ling
authors: JL
authors: Fuh
authors: Ching-Piao
authors: CP
authors: Tsai
authors: Shuu-Jiun
authors: SJ
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology