Polyautoimmunity in Sjögren Syndrome

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2016 Aug;42(3):457-72. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2016.03.005. Epub 2016 Jun 21.

Abstract

Polyautoimmunity is defined as the presence of more than one well-defined autoimmune disease (AD) in a single patient. Polyautoimmunity is a frequent condition in Sjögren syndrome (SS) and follows a grouping pattern. The most frequent ADs observed in SS are autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Main factors associated with polyautoimmunity in SS are tobacco smoking and some genetic variants. The study of polyautoimmunity provides important clues for elucidating the common mechanisms of autoimmne diseases (ie, the autoimmune tautology).

Keywords: Autoimmune tautology; Polyautoimmunity; Sjögren syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / epidemiology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / genetics
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / genetics
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / epidemiology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / genetics
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / genetics
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / immunology
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / epidemiology
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / genetics
  • Thyroiditis, Autoimmune / immunology