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.