To investigate the prevalence of impaired gastric emptying (IGE) and its relation to autonomic nervous dysfunction (AD), functional bowel syndrome, and inflammatory and serological variables in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).
Twenty-eight patients with pSS according to the American-European Consensus Criteria were included in the study. Gastric emptying was evaluated by the octanoate breath test from which half-time (t(half)) and lag-time (t(lag)) were determined and compared with the results from 50 healthy controls. Autonomic nervous function was evaluated by 5 objective autonomic reflex tests (ART) and by the Autonomic Symptom Profile (ASP) questionnaire evaluating AD symptoms. These results were compared with previously investigated healthy ART controls and population-based ASP controls. Patients were also assessed regarding symptoms of functional bowel syndrome.
The t(half) and the t(lag) were significantly prolonged in patients compared to controls. Forty-three percent of patients with pSS presented signs of IGE and 29% fulfilled the criteria for gastroparesis. Significant correlations were found between t(lag) and increased levels of IgG (p = 0.02) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; p = 0.01). In addition, rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositives showed objective signs of IGE to a greater extent than RF seronegatives. No associations between IGE, ART variables, ASP variables, or gastrointestinal symptoms were found.
IGE was common in pSS. Associations with inflammatory and serological features of pSS could imply immunological mechanisms behind the IGE. Objective signs of IGE were not associated with objective signs or subjective symptoms of AD or functional bowel syndrome.