EXPRESS: Screening for Presence of Primary Sjogren’s Syndrome in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases

Autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD) are the most common autoimmune human disorders as thyroid gland is a main target for autoimmunity. The association between rheumatologic and thyroid disorders has long been known, the most common being the association with rheumatoid arthritis. Our study was conducted to screen for the presence of symptoms, signs and immune markers suggesting presence of Sjogren's syndrome among patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders. Eighty AITD patients (46 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 34 patients with Graves' disease) were included in the study and forty healthy subjects matched age & sex as a control group. The two groups were compared according to 2002 the American European Consensus Group ( AECG ) criteria for diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome. 12.5% of AITD patients (n=10 patients) were diagnosed as Sjogren's syndrome (AITD-SS). Eight out of ten of AITD-SS had Hashimoto's disease while only two had Grave's disease. Anti Ro was detected in serum of seven patients of the AITD patients with Sjogren syndrome while Anti La was detected in serum of eight patients. The most independent predictors of Sjogren's syndrome in AITD patients are anti La, ESR and salivary gland sonographic change. we conclude that Sjogren's syndrome has been found in patients with AITD and also patients with AITD have symptoms mimic sicca disease despite not fulfill criteria for diagnosis.