Bowel symptoms in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

Refractory diarrhea in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome: A case report

We present the case of a 66-year-old man with no abdominal symptoms other than chronic refractory diarrhea. Other causes for diarrhea were excluded. The positive results of anti-SSA antibodies, Schirmer's test, and the biopsy of minor salivary glands confirmed the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. Moreover, during the course of treatment, the patient developed refeeding syndrome. His diarrhea and nutrition resolved with initiation of glucocorticoids. This case highlights that chronic refractory diarrhea can be the chief complaint and most severe symptom in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

Abdominal symptoms during Sjogren's syndrome: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Abdominal symptoms in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) are poorly documented. The objective of the study was to describe the abdominal symptoms of patients with pSS and to assess their association with characteristics of the disease.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty patients with pSS were evaluated using a composite global symptom score for abdominal symptoms and their severity. Data concerning the clinical and biological characteristics of pSS and abdominal disorders were also collected.

RESULTS

Of the patients with pSS, 95% suffered from abdominal symptoms (median global symptom score 7.5 ± 5.5 points out of 30). More than half of the patients experienced abdominal tension (68%), upper abdominal pain (54%), abdominal discomfort (58%) and/or constipation (54%). Regarding the pSS activity, in relation to European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren syndrome disease activity index score items, general and central nervous system involvement wereassociated with a high global symptom score. The EULAR Sjogren Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) symptom score was positively correlated with the global symptom score (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between a high global symptom score and SSA seronegativity, gastroparesis, and ESSPRI score (p < 0.01 for each).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients with pSS suffered abdominal symptoms. There is currently no therapeutic recommendation because of the lack of information on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03157011 . Date of registration: July 17, 2017.

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) alleviates constipation and intestinal inflammation in mice induced by Sjögren's syndrome

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease and can cause gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and intestinal inflammation. As a kind of medicinal material, Paeonia lactiflora Pall has a variety of pharmacological effects, and it is also an indispensable component in many pharmaceutical preparations, which has been widely concerned by the medical and pharmaceutical circles. Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) is a mixture of biologically active compounds extracted from the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall and has therapeutic effects on a variety of autoimmune diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the therapeutic effect of TGP on constipation and intestinal inflammation in mice modeled by SS, and to provide a basis for clinical research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The SS model was set up by submandibular gland (SMG) immune induction method and then treated with TGP for 24 weeks. The fecal characteristics were observed and the fecal number and moisture content were measured. Colonic pathology was observed by H&E staining. The levels of serum P substance (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, nitric oxide (NO), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and microplate method, respectively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to analyze the mRNA expression of c-kit and stem cell factor (SCF) in colon.

RESULTS

Compared with the model group, the dry and rough condition of the feces was improved, and the fecal gloss, number and moisture content significantly increased after the administration of TGP capsules. Meanwhile, TGP treatment improved colonic pathological damage, inhibited the serum concentrations of NO, NOS, IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB and SP, increased serum VIP concentration, and up-regulated mRNA expression of SCF and c-kit in colon.

CONCLUSIONS

TGP could obviously attenuate SS-mediated constipation and intestinal inflammation in mice by acting on some intestinal motility related factors and inflammatory factors.

Gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations of Sjogren syndrome

Sjogren syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that affects exocrine glands and therefore may affect the gastrointestinal system, from the mouth, esophagus, and bowel to the liver and pancreas. Oral involvement in SS is mainly characterized by dryness, with a wide spectrum of symptoms, from mild-to-severe xerostomia with dysgeusia and tooth decay. The dysphagia, although common, does not correlate with the reduced salivary flow rate or the dysmotility that may be present. Dyspepsia, found in up to 23% of patients, may be associated with gastritis, reduced acid production, and antiparietal cell antibodies, but rarely pernicious anemia. Pancreatic involvement, although rare, includes pancreatitis and pancreatic insufficiency. The most common causes of liver disease are primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Although abnormal liver tests are found in up to 49% of patients, they are usually mild. Although sicca syndrome, abnormal histology of the salivary glands, and abnormal sialograms are common in primary biliary cirrhosis, the antibodies to Ro/SSA or La/SSB antigens are infrequent. Xerostomia, sialadenitis, abnormal salivary flow rates, and abnormal Schirmer test in HCV vary widely among the studies, although the antibodies to Ro/SSA or La/SSB are only 1%. Several studies show that HCV is in saliva, although how this may impact sicca syndrome or SS in HCV is unclear. SS as a disease of exocrine glands affects many parts of the gastrointestinal system.

Rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome as an unusual gastrointestinal manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome: a case report

Introduction

Rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome, histologically characterized by fibromuscular obliteration in the lamina propria, hyperplastic glands and thickened muscularis mucosa, causes rectal bleeding. Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune exocrinopathy that chiefly destroys the salivary and lacrimal glands by lympho-plasmacytic infiltration. Although various gastrointestinal manifestations have been reported in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, there have not been to our knowledge any case reports to date of rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome in association with Sjögren's syndrome.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old Japanese woman with Sjögren's syndrome and long-term constipation consulted our hospital because of rectal bleeding. Because of dysphagia and xerostomia, she had consistently refused recommendations to take oral medicines including cathartics. Therefore, she frequently strained excessively during defecation. Colonoscopy and radiological examinations disclosed eroded flat protrusions of the rectum. Microscopic examination demonstrated inflamed mucosa with elongated tortuous glands and fibromuscular obliteration. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome was made. Prohibition of straining during defecation and sulfasalazine suppository use were effective.

Conclusion

This case highlights the importance of defecation control in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. In the case presented, rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome following long-term excessive straining during defecation caused rectal bleeding. Clinicians should consider rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome as a gastrointestinal manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome.