Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Higher levels of some inflammatory signaling molecules are associated with less fatigue in people with primary Sjögren’s syndrome, challenging prior thoughts that inflammatory molecules directly mediate fatigue in chronic autoimmune conditions, a recent validation study found. The study, “Fatigue in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is associated with…

Analyzing subsets of immune cells in the salivary gland by examining the cells’ epigenetic makeup is a viable way to measure inflammation that may aid in diagnosing and monitoring people with Sjögren’s syndrome, a study suggests. These data were reported in the journal Rheumatology in the paper, “…

A new study in mice suggests that metformin — a drug typically used to control blood sugar levels in diabetes — may be able to reduce inflammation and damage to the salivary glands in Sjögren’s syndrome. The study, “Metformin improves salivary gland inflammation and hypofunction in…

Those with Sjögren’s syndrome appear to be at higher risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), a condition where, after undergoing tooth extraction, a person’s jawbone is cut off from its blood supply and starts to starve, a study found. The study, “Increased risk of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis…

Patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome may have different personality characteristics, including a tendency to be more neurotic and less extroverted and open to experiences, than healthy individuals, a study reports. The study, “Personality, depression and anxiety in primary Sjogren’s syndrome — Association with sociodemographic factors and…