Detection of early markers for Sjögren syndrome in dry eye patients.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this case series was to report the detection of early markers for Sjögren syndrome (SS) in 3 patients with chronic dry eye who previously tested negative for classic SS autoantibodies.

METHODS

Cases of 3 patients with a history of dry eye are described. Current assessments in a cornea/ocular surface specialist clinical setting and an ocular medical history review are presented in conjunction with laboratory testing for the presence of novel autoantibody markers linked to the early stages of SS.

RESULTS

All 3 dry eye patients described in this case series tested negative for the classic autoantibody markers [Sjögren syndrome type A (SS-A) and Sjögren syndrome type B (SS-B)]. However, autoantibodies were detected in these patients indicating a likely diagnosis of early-stage SS. All patients were referred to a rheumatologist for further evaluation and treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a history of dry eye signs/symptoms that persist despite treatment (male and female patients) may benefit from a serological evaluation for SS that is capable of detecting not only the traditional SS-A and SS-B markers, but also the recently identified autoantibodies.