INTRODUCTION

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltrates in the exocrine glands. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is suggested to be more frequent among SS patients than in the general population. The aim of this study was to seek associations between the CTS and the laboratory and clinical findings of SS patients.

METHODS

Fifty patients diagnosed with primary SS (pSS) were examined. Clinical evaluation by a rheumatologist and electrophysiological studies were conducted. Data on laboratory tests results was collected. Control group consisted of 50 sex and age-matched individuals with osteoarthritis (OA).

RESULTS

Out of 50 patients in the study group 27 (54%) were diagnosed with CTS. The prevalence of CTS among 50 individuals in the control group was 8%. Among pSS patients with CTS the joint involvement was not more common than in those from the non-CTS group [15 vs. 13 (p = 0.945)]. There was an expected difference in sleep disorders [18 vs. 9 (p = 0.012)] and paresthesia [23 vs. 13 (p = 0.024)]. The major finding was a significant difference in elevated beta2-microglobulin (B2MG) [23 vs. 13 (p = 0.024)]. Other studied factors, suggested in the literature as significant in the pSS-related neuropathy, were not statistically different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms that CTS is more prevalent among pSS patients than in the general population and suggests that a new approach is required towards the pathogenesis of this phenomenon. We hypothesize that CTS is more associated with an overall disease activity than joint involvement as such.