Zidovudine in primary Sjogren's syndrome

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of the administration of zidovudine (AZ T), an antiretroviral drug, in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS ). Methods. Seven female patients (age 57 +/- 8.6 yr) with primary SS were enr olled in an open, uncontrolled trial of AZT (250 mg b.i.d.) for the treatme nt of primary SS. The efficacy variables were oral and ocular dryness sympt oms, fatigue, tender points, physician's and patient's global assessments ( GA), ocular function tests (fluorescein tear break-up time, Schirmer's test , Rose Bengal staining) and laboratory parameters [erythrocyte sedimentatio n rare (ESR), serum IgC, IgA and IgM]. Results. A significant improvement was observed in all subjective manifesta tions, as well as the objective parameters of ocular dryness. The treatment was well tolerated, except for mild and transitory gastrointestinal distur bances in 6/7 patients. Laboratory parameters did not change significantly. The clinical benefit persisted in 5/7 patients 1 month after the end of th erapy. Conclusion. AZT seems to be effective and well tolerated in patients with p rimary SS.