Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, a part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded a $3.7 million grant to advance studies investigating which genes are associated with Sjögren’s syndrome. Led by Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) scientist Christopher Lessard, PhD,…

People with primary Sjögren’s syndrome have poor overall and oral health-related quality of life compared to healthy people, but these measures appear to be even worse among those with dryness symptoms (sicca) not related to the disorder, a study has found. The findings suggest that people with non-Sjögren’s…

A Phase 4 clinical trial investigating LO2A eye drops, by Wize Pharma, as a treatment for dry eye symptoms in Sjögren’s syndrome patients is fully enrolled, the company announced. Topline results from the study, taking place at multiple sites in Israel, are expected by August. They will be used to…

A non-invasive test that measures nerve conduction through surface electrodes may help diagnose polyneuropathy — damage to multiple nerves outside the brain and spinal cord — in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome, a study suggests. The study, “Polyneuropathy and the sural/radial sensory…

Doctors should suspect primary Sjögren’s syndrome when examining patients, especially young women, with recurrent aseptic meningitis — a form of inflammation of the meninges, a membrane protecting the brain and spinal cord, that is not caused by bacteria, a case report suggests. The study, “Recurrent aseptic meningitis:…

American Indians are more commonly affected by Sjögren’s syndrome and show more active disease compared to Americans of other ethnicities, a study shows. The study, “American Indians Have A Higher Risk Of Sjögren’s Syndrome And More Disease Activity Than Caucasians And African-Americans,” was published in the journal…

Advanz Pharma has acquired the global rights (except in Japan) to market Salagen (pilocarpine hydrochloride) tablets, an approved therapy for dry mouth in people with Sjogren’s syndrome, the company announced. Salagen, originally marketed by Eisai, is also used as a treatment for relieving dry mouth in head…

The Hungarian regulatory authority has agreed to extend the label of Wize Pharma‘s LO2A eye drops to include the treatment of dry eye symptoms in Sjögren’s syndrome patients, the company announced. The treatment is marketed in Hungary as Conheal, by Resdevco. While the formulation is registered and marketed for the treatment of dry…

Lower levels of Gαq — a protein that regulates many aspects of immune responses — appear to drive the progression of primary Sjogren’s syndrome by increasing a subset of pro-inflammatory immune cells, a study shows.  The study, “Expression of Gαq Is Decreased in Lymphocytes from Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome…

Although rare, localized amyloidosis can sometimes appear as a consequence of Sjogren’s syndrome, according to a case report from South Korea. The study, “Primary Sjogren syndrome diagnosed simultaneously with localized amyloidosis of the lacrimal gland: A case report,” was published in the journal Medicine. A 45-year-old woman arrived at Pusan National University…