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Iron and vitamin deficiencies, endocrine and immune status in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
Author(s) -
Lundström IMC,
Lindström FD
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
oral diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.953
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1601-0825
pISSN - 1354-523X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1601-0825.2001.70302.x
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatoid factor , gastroenterology , ferritin , anti nuclear antibody , thyroiditis , thyroid function , erythrocyte sedimentation rate , autoimmune thyroiditis , thyroid , xerophthalmia , diabetes mellitus , endocrine system , vitamin , rheumatoid arthritis , endocrinology , immunology , antibody , retinol , vitamin a deficiency , autoantibody , hormone
OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence of iron and vitamin deficiencies, endocrine disorders and immunological parameters in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (1°SS). DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: At the time of the establishment of the diagnosis of 1°SS in 43 consecutive patients, a clinical examination including haematological analyses was performed. The patients' medical records were also reviewed. SETTING: Patients referred for diagnosis to The University Hospital, Linköping, a secondary or tertiary referral hospital serving the middle part of southern Sweden. RESULTS: In total, current or previously treated iron and vitamin deficiencies were registered for 63% of the 1°SS patients (iron 51%, vitamin B 12 25%, folate 9%). Current low ferritin was noted in 24%, low iron saturation in 37%, decreased vitamin B 12 in 13% and folate in 9%. Thyroid disease was found in a total of 33% and 30% had had autoimmune thyroiditis. Three patients (7%) had verified diabetes mellitus. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised in 65% of the patients and 84% had a polyclonal increase of Ig. Rheumatoid factor (RF) was detected in 85%, antinuclear antibody (ANA) in 74%, anti‐SS‐A in 88% and anti‐SS‐B in 73% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Iron and vitamin deficiencies and thyroid diseases are common in patients with 1°SS. Since these disorders often are treatable and may affect the patients' distress as well as their immune and exocrine function, an active, recurrent search for deficiencies, endocrine diseases and other frequently recorded disorders is recommended.