A new perspective on primary Sjogren's syndrome: investigation of vestibular and balance functions.

OBJECTIVES

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory condition with an autoimmune history that primarily affects women in middle age (male to female ratio is 1:9). This study aims to evaluate the functional balance status of the patients in primary Sjogren's syndrome and to examine their peripheral and central vestibular functions.

METHODS

A total of 24 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome and 26 sex-matched controls were included in this study. Gaze, saccade, tracking, optokinetic, video head impulse and sensory organisation tests were performed on the participants.

RESULTS

Significant decreases were observed in video head impulse and sensory organisation tests in participants with Sjogren's syndrome compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

This study documented the findings of patients with Sjogren's syndrome from a vestibular and balance perspective. The study's findings have guided relevant professionals in the follow-up of patients with Sjogren's syndrome to improve patients' daily life, balancing performance and quality of life.