Endothelial dysfunction in primary Sjögren syndrome

West Indian Med J. 2012 Dec;61(9):870-2. doi: 10.7727/wimj.2012.039.

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate endothelial functions in primary Sjögren syndrome.

Methods: Thirty-five patients with primary Sjögren syndrome and 20 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited to the present study. Flow mediated dilatation of brachial artery and carotid intima-media thickness were measured in the study population.

Results: Carotid intima-media thickness values were similar between groups (0.50 +/- 0.10, 0.53 +/- 0.08, p > 0.05). Flow mediated dilatation of the brachial artery was disrupted in the primary Sjögren syndrome group (7% vs 12%, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: There is endothelial dysfunction in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome, although they had comparable carotid intima-media thickness with the healthy control group.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brachial Artery / physiopathology*
  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperemia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Vasodilation / physiology*