PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH PRIMARY SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Clinical and electrophysiological signs of peripheral neuropathy were found in 10 of 46 patients (21.7%) with primary Sjogren's syndrome, sy mmetric polyneuropathy in seven (mainly sensory in five, mainly autono mic in two), sensory neuronopathy in two patients, and mononeuropathy multiplex in one patient. Peripheral neuropathy was the presenting man ifestation in five patients (10.9%). Onset of the disease after 50 yea rs was significantly more common in the polyneuropathy group (six of s even) than in non-neuropathic patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (14 of 36; p = 0.034). No other difference in clinical or laboratory variables between neuropathic and non-neuropathic patients with primar y Sjogren's syndrome was found. Neurophysiological study showed variab le findings predominantly suggesting an axonopathy. Nerve biopsy showe d moderate remyelination and regeneration in four patients, and fibre loss, mainly of large size, in three. Necrotising vasculitis was not s een but alterations of the endoneurial microvessels were prominent.