Autonomic neuropathy is associated with increased mortality. Autonomic nervous system disorders have been described in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS), but the results in controlled studies have been contradictory, varying from normal to sympathetic or parasympathetic dysfunction. Since the earlier studies employed varying methodologies, which may have led to the discrepancy, we conducted a comprehensive study on autonomic function in patients with primary SS and compared our findings to healthy, carefully matched population based controls.
A conventional cardiovascular reflex test battery (Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing test, active orthostatic test) and measurements of baroreflex sensitivity with phenylephrine and 24 hour heart rate variability were performed on 30 patients with primary SS and 30 healthy age and sex matched population based controls.
There were no significant differences between the SS patients and the healthy controls in any of the tests.
The prevalence of autonomic dysfunction is not increased in patients with primary SS compared to the general population.