High Frequency of Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome in Taiwanese Patients Presenting as Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) with central nervous system involvement may mimic the manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS). The prevalence of PSS in MS patients varies in the published literature (0-16.6%), but has not yet been investigated in Asia, having a much lower MS prevalence than Western countries. Twelve consecutive patients presenting with a relapsing-remitting MS-like syndrome were recruited to assess the presence of PSS according to the American-European consensus group criteria. Six patients (50%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of PSS. The preliminary result suggests that PSS is an important differential diagnosis in patients with MS-like syndrome in Taiwan. The prevalence of 'pure MS' in Taiwan might be even lower than expected. A further large-scale study is warranted to confirm this finding in Taiwan as well as other Asian countries.