Clinical evaluation of 117 patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

The clinical entity of Sjögren's syndrome was limited to exocrine gland involvements in the present study, and 117 patients fulfilling this criterium were evaluated clinically to clarify the features of this syndrome. The following conclusions were obtained. (1) Frequent overlapping of this syndrome with other autoimmune diseases was observed, (2) This syndrome was demonstrated in young patients and middle-aged as well as postmenopausal patients. (3) Some of systemic manifestations demonstrated in patients with associated diseases were also observed in many patients without definite associated diseases. (4) Various hematological and serological abnormalities were demonstrated even in patients without associated diseases, and therefore, the participation of either a chronic inflammatory or immunologic process was suggested in this syndrome. (5) In patients with associated diseases, influence of the associated diseases was prominent in accordance with the patients' age, systemic manifestations and serological abnormalities. (6) The subclinical nature of sicca symptoms in young patients, as well as the delayed advancement of glandular involvement in this syndrome, were suggested. (7) Different entities were suggested in some patients with only lachrymal involvement.