Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

A protein called ETS1 is present in large amounts in cells in the salivary glands of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome, where it may turn on a switch to make more of MMP-9, another protein that has been implicated in the early development of the disease, a study found. Researchers…

Ten new genetic regions, or loci, were found to be linked to an increased risk of Sjögren’s syndrome in people whose ancestry traces to Europe, according to a genome-wide association study (GWAS). These findings nearly double the total number of known risk loci from 12 to 22, in what…

Punctal plugs, which are inserted into the tear ducts to keep the eyes lubricated, are a mainstay of treatment for dry eye in people with primary Sjögren’s syndrome, a South Korean study found. The approach may be combined with additional treatments, but appropriate therapies will depend on the presence…

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when breathing slows or stops repeatedly for short times during sleep, is common among people with primary Sjögren’s syndrome, a study found. Since OSA is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular problems, fatigue, and other medical problems, physicians should monitor all people with…

Certain proteins in saliva are found at significantly different levels in mice modeling Sjögren’s syndrome as compared with healthy animals, and may serve as promising biomarkers for the chronic autoimmune disorder, a study found. If the findings are confirmed in humans, they could advance a method to diagnose Sjögren’s using…

A salivary gland biopsy on the lower lip may be considered a safe procedure for diagnosing Sjögren’s syndrome, with relatively few and mild complications, a study found. According to its authors, proper management and follow-up may reduce the risk of complications from the biopsy and help in the recovery…

The Sjögren’s Foundation is calling on runners and walkers to take part in its Team Sjögren’s Training Program for a virtual event that will take place Nov. 25–28. The event will help increase awareness about the autoimmune condition and raise funds for research and education, the foundation announced in…

Current studies investigating treatment strategies for children with Sjögren’s syndrome have poor quality evidence for the development of clinical recommendations, a recent study has found. As such, these children are still prescribed medication based on their doctors’ opinions, not on evidence-based treatment recommendations. “Future research is required to guide…

The number of lymphocytes — a type of immune blood cell — in the salivary glands of the lip could help identify patients with Sjögren’s syndrome who are at increased risk for developing lymphoma, a new study has found. The study, “A biomarker for lymphoma development in Sjogren’s…

A subset of immune cells, called CD4+CD8+ T-cells, is increased in the blood of patients with Sjögren’s syndrome, and their levels seem to correlate with lower disease activity, according to a small study. The findings suggest doctors could make use of those cells to track or even control how…