A RECENT cohort study has revealed a 70% higher mortality risk in patients with Sjögren’s disease (SjD) compared to the general population, emphasising the need for targeted management strategies. The study, spanning nine years, involved 314 SjD patients diagnosed using the American-European Consensus Group criteria, with infections (35.71%), malignancies (23.8%), and cardiovascular disease (7.14%) identified as the leading causes of death.
Key findings include several independent predictors of mortality. Older age increased the risk significantly (hazard ratio [HR] 1.11 per year), while C4 hypocomplementemia (HR 3.75), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (HR 1.01), history of heart failure (HR 4.24), and pulmonary involvement (HR 3.31) were also associated with higher mortality rates. These factors underscore the systemic nature of SjD and its impact on various organ systems.
Compared to an age- and sex-matched general population, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for SjD patients was 1.7, highlighting the disease’s severe implications. The findings suggest that infections, malignancies, and cardiovascular complications should be primary focuses of proactive care in SjD patients.
This study underscores the importance of early detection, aggressive monitoring of systemic manifestations, and personalized treatment approaches to improve outcomes for individuals with SjD. As these results shed light on critical risk factors, they pave the way for better management strategies to enhance both quality of life and survival rates for those affected by this autoimmune condition.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Lovgach et al. Mortality in patients with Sjögren Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study Identifying Key Predictors. J Rheumatol. 2025;DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.2024-1033.
