ab225014

Cutaneous manifestations of primary Sjögren's syndrome are underestimated

A.-M. Roguedas^1,2, L. Misery², B. Sassolas², G. Le Masson³, Y.-L. Pennec⁴, P. Youinou¹

Laboratory of Immunology, ²Unit of Dermatology, ³Laboratory of Histopathology, and ⁴Department of Internal Medicine, Brest University Medical School, Brest, France

ABSTRACT
The association of kerato-conjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia has been termed Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Although this disease is referred to as a non-organ-specific autoimmune condition, the vast majority of the deleterious effects of primary SS are restricted to the exocrine glands. Among them, the lacrymal and salivary glands are at the foreground, owing to the severity of the objective consequences and the importance of the subjective manifestations. As a result, cutaneous manifestations are minimized, albeit relatively common. We have carefully analyzed the literature to draw up an inventory of the possible skin complications of this syndrome. In addition to xerosis and epidermal IgG deposits, they include vasculitis and cutaneous B cell lymphoma. Alopecia, vitiligo and papular lesions have also been reported to be associated with primary SS.

Key words
Sjögren's syndrome, skin, xerosis.

Please address correspondence to: Pierre Youinou, MD, Laboratory of Immunology, Brest University Medical School Hospital, BP 824, F-29609 Brest Cedex, France.
E-mail: youinou@univ-brest.fr