No single blood test confirms Sjögren's; diagnosis involves a combination of symptoms, physical exams (like eye dryness tests), and specific blood markers, primarily Anti-SSA (Ro) and Anti-SSB (La) antibodies, along with Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) (often speckled/homogeneous pattern) and sometimes Rheumatoid Factor, but a definitive diagnosis often needs a lip biopsy to show inflammation.
A blood test can detect specific antibodies—immune system proteins that normally bind to harmful substances—that may signal autoimmune diseases. The antibodies associated with Sjogren's include anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibodies.
Blood and urine tests, to look for the presence of antibodies common in Sjögren's syndrome. The results of an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test will determine if you have an autoimmune disorder. Schirmer's test, to see if your tear glands are producing enough tears to keep your eyes moist.
Hand dysfunction is common in newly diagnosed primary Sjögren's syndrome. DHI scores correlate with disease activity, anxiety, depression, and health status. Synovitis/tenosynovitis detected in 18% of pSS patients via ultrasonography. Carpal tunnel syndrome found in 32% of pSS patients with electrodiagnostic tests.
Antinuclear Antibody (ANA): The ANA test is positive in the majority of Sjögren's disease patients. However, a positive ANA test is also common in healthy individuals. The ANA test is most commonly performed using a technique that involves immunofluorescent staining of human cells grown in tissue culture (Figure 3).
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Like CRP, ESR is a non-specific inflammatory marker. Unlike CRP, 20%-40% of people with Sjogren's have an elevated ESR caused by Sjogren's- related immune system dysfunction. However, just like CRP, ESR does not reflect overall disease activity or inflammation.
A negative test
A negative ANA test effectively excludes a diagnosis of ANA associated rheumatic disease such as drug-induced lupus and, in the majority of cases, SLE, systemic sclerosis/scleroderma and mixed connective tissue disease, particularly where there is a low pre-test probability of these conditions.
In Sjögren's disease, this type of arthritis usually affects the fingers, wrists and ankles. The shoulders, hips and knees may also be painful. Some patients with Sjögren's disease may have joint paint as a result of fibromyalgia.
Immunosuppressive agents (methotrexate, cyclosporine) may improve the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome, although they do not alter the decreased lacrimal and salivary flow rates or the histologic markers of the disease.
A small percentage of people with Sjogren's syndrome develop cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma). Nerves. You might develop numbness, tingling and burning in your hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy).
EARLY BIOMARKER TESTS ARE AVAILABLE
Their efforts resulted in the development of a panel of tests for antibodies to carbonic anhydrase-VI, parotid salivary protein, and secretory protein-1, all of which have been associated with early Sjögren syndrome.
Who Treats Sjögren's Disease? Sjögren's disease is primarily treated by: Rheumatologists, doctors who treat diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, and who are also specialists in autoimmune diseases.
Sjögren's disease can cause numbness or burning of the face, called “trigeminal neuralgia.” Pain in the back of the throat, which may worsen while swallowing, is called “glossopharyngeal neuralgia.” Patients with trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgia can have agonizing mouth and facial pain.
Serum Potassium - Hypokalemia (low serum potassium) may indicate Sjogren's kidney disease (10). UA, random urine protein and creatinine - Mild proteinuria (protein in the urine) is common in Sjogren's, but usually occurs without symptoms.
Thus, primary Sjögren's syndrome is one of the inflammatory disorders characterized by a relatively low CRP response.
However, these tests have high “false-negative” rates, where only about half of patients with Sjögren's neuropathy will have these autoantibodies in their blood, even after repeated testing4.
Nipocalimab is the first and only investigational therapy granted U.S. FDA breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of adults living with moderate-to-severe Sjögren's disease [news release]. Johnson & Johnson. 2024 Nov 11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act ().
Sjogren's Syndrome Diagnosis & Presentation. Dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue, and joint pains are common symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome. Mild anemia, high ESR, high IgG levels with positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), Ro autoantibodies, and La autoantibodies are all common findings on blood tests.
Start with five minutes of aerobic exercise daily (e.g. walking, biking, running, elliptical, treadmill) and increase the duration by an additional two-to-three minutes each month up to a maximum of 25 minutes daily. If you have a heart or lung condition, consult your doctor first.
Drag moisture into your skin by using products that contain chemicals such as urea, glycerin, lactic or similar “metabolic” or alpha-hydroxy acids, such as AmLactin® cream or Carmol® and Cerave (a dermatologist recommended body cream specifically for severely dry skin).
The Autoimmune Disorder Panel is a combination of 8 health tests that measure and evaluate the body. Our Autoimmune Disorder Panel includes the following tests: Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Lupus. Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, can also lead to hair loss, particularly during periods of flare-ups. These flare-ups involve increased inflammation throughout the body, which can affect the scalp and hair follicles.
Conditions that may cause a "false positive" test include: