Evaluation of Hand Functions in Newly Diagnosed Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Patients; A Controlled Cross-sectional Study

Hand functions are decreased in rheumatic diseases such as systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic systemic rheumatic disease characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of exocrine glands, especially salivary and lacrimal glands.

SS may be "primary" when it occurs alone (pSS) and "secondary" (sSS) when associated with another autoimmune disease. PSS is the most common connective tissue disease after rheumatoid arthritis and affects 0.3-3% of the population. Joint involvement is the most common involvement of pSS after sicca syndrome (50% of patients). Patients may have arthralgia with inflammatory features (morning stiffness > 30 minutes) or, less frequently, true symmetric polysynovitis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The joint involvement of PSS is usually moderate (<5 affected joints) and mostly affects the small joints of the hands and upper extremities. PSS may also be responsible for myositis. Widespread pain, similar to primary fibromyalgia, is common in about 50 percent of patients with PSS.

The hand is one of the most important components affecting the functionality of the upper extremity. Grasping is one of the hand functions, for the continuity of daily living activities.

is an important function. Studies have shown that hand grip strength is correlated with upper extremity muscle strength, as well as general body muscle strength and pulmonary muscle strength.

As far as we know, hand functions have not been evaluated in newly diagnosed patients with pSS.