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Certain patients with Sjögren’s syndrome have higher risk for fatigue
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Some patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome were more likely to experience significant fatigue than others, according to research presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology.
Data from 105 patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) from the Korean Initiative of primary Sjögren’s Syndrome (KISS) cohort were analyzed. Researchers assessed fatigue levels in patients using the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient-reported Index (ESSPRI) fatigue domain. Scores of six or higher were considered severe fatigue. A heart rate variability test was used to assess autonomic dysfunction, and ophthalmologic and other evaluations were performed.
The median ESSPRI score was 5, and 42% of patients had a severe fatigue score of 6 or greater, with a higher frequency of severe fatigue observed in younger and premenopausal patients. Dysautonomia was observed with greater frequency in association with higher fatigue scores. Thirty patients (71.4%) with significant fatigue also presented with moderate-to-severe xerophthalmia, but neither ocular stain scores nor the presence of meibomian gland dysfunction were associated with severe levels of fatigue. Significant fatigue was also associated with higher xerostomia inventory scores, according to the researchers.
Through multivariate analyses, younger age, dysautonomia and xerostomia inventory were identified as the factors most strongly correlated with severe fatigue in patients with pSS. – by Shirley Pulawski
Reference:
Koh JH, et al. Paper #AB0578. Presented at: European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology. June 10-13, 2015; Rome.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.