ALLERGIC DISORDERS IN PRIMARY SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Allergic disorders have been described in a variety of connective tiss ue disorders. Although an association between allergy and primary Sjog ren's syndrome has been suggested, it has not been well documented. Th e purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of several types of allergic disorders in a cohort of primary Sjogren's syndrome patie nts. The presence of an allergic disorder was evaluated by a specific questionnaire in 65 randomly selected primary Sjogren's syndrome patie nts and was compared to control groups of 67 rheumatoid arthritis pati ents, 53 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and sicca symptoms, and 31 patients with osteoarthritis. At least one type of allergic manifesta tion was reported by 42 of the 65 Sjogren's syndrome patients (65%). T his rate was significantly higher than each of the three control group s (p<0.01). Only drug allergy and skin contact allergy were found to b e more prevalent in Sjogren's syndrome patients than in the control gr oups (p<0.05). Allergic reactions were more common in Sjogren's syndro me patients who were anti-Re positive (p<0.05). As drug and skin conta ct allergies are a frequent finding in Sjogren's syndrome patients, ob taining a careful history is needed before prescribing drugs in these patients.