Cardiovascular Disease in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

BACKGROUND: A close relationship between rheumatic diseases and cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported, accounting for the higher mortality and morbidity observed in these patients. In the last years, it has been clearly reported that patients affected by primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) experienced an increased risk of CVD. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed at investigating CVD, traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and possible targeted therapeutic strategies in pSS patients. METHOD: Available literature concerning CV risk factors in pSS patients has been selected and discussed. CONCLUSION: Disease-related characteristics and traditional CV risk factors contribute to observed atherosclerotic damage in pSS patients. The pro-inflammatory mediators together with hypertension and type 2 diabetes, which are more prevalent in pSS patients, determine the increased CV burden. Future studies are needed to fully elucidate the role of possible targeted therapies.