Neurological manifestations of primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Abstract

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease affecting the exocrine glands, leading to damage of their structure and impairment of their function. In the course of pSS the internal organs may be involved and the symptoms may concern any system. Neurological disorders are one of the most common extraglandular manifestations of pSS. Available literature data estimate the prevalence of neurological symptoms as about 8.5–70% of patients diagnosed with pSS. The most common neurological complication of pSS is peripheral neuropathy, and in particular sensory polyneuropathy. Central nervous system involvement is much less common. There are also reports of various symptoms connected with damage to cranial nerves and the autonomic nervous system. A careful neurological evaluation, combined with neurophysiological tests, is recommended in patients with pSS. This review summarizes the neurological manifestations of pSS, their possible pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic evaluation and potential treatment.

Introduction

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease affecting the exocrine glands, leading to damage of their structure and impairment of their function. In the course of pSS the internal organs may be involved and the symptoms may concern any system. Neurological disorders are one of the extraglandular manifestations of the disease and sometimes are very painful. The first reports regarding involvement of the nervous system in the course of pSS were published in 1980 [1]. Literature data estimate the presence of neurological symptoms in about 8.5–70% of patients diagnosed with pSS [2]. Such a large range results from the fact of applying diverse diagnostic criteria of pSS, different definitions of neurological syndromes as well as greater availability of neurophysiological diagnostics in patients hospitalised at neurology wards as compared with rheumatology wards. In 25–60% of cases the neurological symptoms preceded the diagnosis of pSS by 2 years on average. In the remaining patients neurological disorders appeared 6–8 years after being diagnosed [2]. The pathogenetic mechanism leading to damage to the nervous system in pSS is not fully known. It is suspected that T lymphocytes and dendritic cells play an important role as they secrete cytokines leading to vasculitis and damage to the dorsal root ganglia as a result of inflammatory infiltration. Specific antibodies reacting with antigens of the nervous tissue are also searched for [3].

The most common neurological complication of pSS is peripheral neuropathy, and in particular sensory polyneuropathy [4]. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is much less common (2–25% patients) [5, 6]. In some patients simultaneous involvement of the peripheral and CNS is observed. There are also reports of various symptoms connected with damage to cranial nerves and the autonomic nervous system [7, 8].

Neurological manifestations of primary Sjögren’s syndrome in the central nervous system

In the last decade CNS involvement has been observed more commonly than initially suspected. However, as compared with detailed classifications reporting damage to the peripheral nervous system, the knowledge regarding CNS involvement in the case of pSS is not yet as structured as it should be. The following were observed: cognitive disorders, aseptic meningitis, epileptic seizures, headache, transverse myelitis, optic neuritis, disseminated encephalopathy and lesions in the CNS typical of multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive disorders

Cognitive disorders are common in the case of pSS. The most common forms include attention and memory deficit disorders. Neuropsychological examination shows executive and visuospatial disorders as well as short-term or long-term memory deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is normal in 80% of cases or it shows subcortical foci in the fronto-parietal region. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may show hypoperfusion areas in the frontal and temporal lobes [7, 9, 10].

Meningitis

Meningitis is a relatively common complication of pSS, related to inflammation of the meningeal vessels. The symptoms include headache, flu-like symptoms, confusion, and meningeal signs with or without fever. There may occur focal neurological symptoms in the form of cranial nerve palsy, cerebellum symptoms or seizures. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid shows aseptic lymphocytic pleocytosis up to 900 cells/ml [2].

Multiple sclerosis-like manifestations

In 10–20% of patients diagnosed with pSS there are lesions in the central nervous system analogous to those presented in the case of multiple sclerosis (multiple sclerosis-like lesions). Most often they concern the white matter of the brain (60%) and the spinal cord (40%) [7, 11]. The observed neurological symptoms include paresis of limbs, aphasia, ataxia, and internuclear ophthalmoplegia; their course is chronic, relapsing-remitting, similar to multiple sclerosis (MS). The cerebrospinal fluid of such patients is characterised by an increased IgG index and synthesis of oligoclonal bands, which is typical of MS [12]. Most patients with multiple sclerosis-like symptoms are also diagnosed with improper visual evoked potentials (VEPs). The symptoms of dryness characteristic of pSS are slightly intensified [2, 13].

The reports of pSS also include cases of optic neuritis with transverse myelitis and presence of antibodies against aquaporin-4, imitating Devic’s disease, which is a variant of MS [14].

Optic neuritis

Bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis has been extensively described among patients diagnosed with pSS. In some cases the first symptom of pSS was blindness secondary to bilateral optic neuritis. In about 12–15% of cases the features of optic neuritis were found during VEP tests. It is believed that the pathogenesis of optic neuritis in pSS is a combination of demyelination and ischemic vasculitis [7].

Spinal cord involvement

Acute transverse myelitis is the most common form of spinal cord involvement in the course of pSS. The spectrum of clinical symptoms is diverse, depending on the region of the focal lesion: tetraparesis or paraparesis, sphincter dysfunctions, proprioceptive dysfunction, Brown-Séquard syndrome. The MRI of those patients found hyperintense lesions in T2, present mainly in the cervical region [15]. There are also reports of the form including involvement of the lower motor neuron imitating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [16] and the form including involvement of the upper motor neuron [17].

Neurological manifestations of primary Sjögren’s syndrome in the peripheral nervous system

The main manifestations of involvement of the peripheral nervous system in pSS include various types of neuropathies [6, 18–22]. The presence of peripheral neuropathy in pSS not only decreases the quality of life of a patient, but it is also a negative prognostic factor − it is related to a risk of developing lymphoma [23, 24].

Additionally, there have been reports demonstrating the relation of pSS with motor neuron disease and myositis. It was also observed that patients with pSS reported isolated cases of channelopathy that exhibits features of hypokalaemic paralysis [25].

Peripheral neuropathy

According to the available data, the frequency of neuropathy in a population of patients with pSS ranges from 2 to 60% [18, 20, 21, 26–28]. The main cause of such a discrepancy may be the application of diverse methods for detection of neuropathy. Some studies were based only on clinical diagnosis, while other researchers applied more or less detailed electrophysiological diagnostics. The reported neuropathies in pSS included distal sensory polyneuropathy, axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), multiple mononeuropathy, sensory neuronopathy and small fibre neuropathy. Sensorimotor polyradiculoneuropathy corresponding to Guillain-Barré syndrome was also described [29]. Additionally, the course of pSS may lead to damage of the cranial nerves. Individual types of neuropathies may overlap in one patient [6, 18]. The variability of neuropathies in patients with pSS and their diverse response to the applied treatment indicates a complex pathomechanism responsible for their occurrence. It is probably different in individual types of neuropathies. One of the main mechanisms for development of neuropathies in pSS is inflammation of the vessel supplying blood to the nerves, in some cases of necrotic nature, with perivascular inflammatory infiltration [30]. An exception is sensory ganglionopathy related mainly to lymphocytic infiltration around the dorsal root ganglia [31]. The role of antibodies in development of neuropathy has not been proven [32].

Distal axonal sensory polyneuropathy

Distal axonal sensory polyneuropathy, the most common form of neuropathy in pSS, is characterised by a chronic course with a slow increase of symptoms [33]. The symptoms include symmetric paraesthesias and sensory disorders in distal parts of lower limbs. Paraesthesias may be accompanied by burning feet pain. The symptoms are definitely more intense in lower limbs. The upper limbs are involved only in about 20% of cases. Physical examination shows loss of sensation in a “stocking-glove” pattern and diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes. Electrodiagnostic study demonstrates a symmetric axonal pattern of sensory fibre involvement. Nerve biopsy exhibits axonal degeneration with features of remyelination, without features of necrotic vascular inflammation [2].

Sensorimotor polyneuropathy

Some patients with distal axonal sensory polyneuropathy also complain of symptoms related to the motor nerve fibres. As the disease progresses, weakening of distal muscles of the limbs, initially of the foot extensors, is observed. Electrophysiological examination reveals axonal sensory and motor loss with significant predominance of the sensory fibres and lower limbs being more affected [7].

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is uncommon in pSS. It is characterised by slow development (within at least 8 weeks), usually symmetric weakening of proximal and/or distal muscles of upper and lower limbs with sensory dysfunctions and diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes. A characteristic feature of CIDP is increased concentration of protein in the cerebrospinal fluid in 80–90% of patients. Electrodiagnostic findings include prolonged distal motor latency, slowed conduction velocity, abnormal temporal dispersion or partial conduction block, and absent F-wave or prolongation of its latency [34]. Similarly to the general population, CIDP in patients with pSS is usually treated with intravenous immunoglobulin infusions, plasmapheresis or glucocorticoids (GK) [35].

Cases of acute onset demyelinating polyneuropathy have also been described [29].

Multiple mononeuropathy

Multiple mononeuropathy means simultaneous or consecutive asymmetric damage of at least two nerves which do not form a continuity with each other. The patients present symptoms in the areas supplied by the affected nerves. Overlapping multifocal lesions of individual nerves may lead to paresis and abnormal sensations imitating polyneuropathy. The researchers do not agree about the frequency of occurrence of multiple mononeuropathy in the course of pSS. According to Mori et al. [8] and Gemignani et al. [20] it occurs in about 12% of patients with pSS. Terrier et al. [36] and Ramos-Casals et al. [37] indicate that the frequency of neuropathy may be even 50% of patients with pSS. The main cause of the discussed type of neuropathy is inflammation of the vessels nourishing the nerve trunks with a consequential nerve infarction [38].

Vasculitis is usually not limited to nerves, but also involves other organs, and therefore mononeuropathy in pSS is usually accompanied by acute or subacute constitutional symptoms. Laboratory findings include an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein levels (CRP) and cryoglobulinaemia. Electrophysiological studies document axonal damage and “pseudoblocks” corresponding to the areas of nerve ischaemia. Histopathologically, in those areas, it is possible to visualise necrosis of the vasa nervorum wall of the nerve with concomitant T cell and macrophage infiltration [39].

Clinically, sensory and motor deficits are observed in the distribution of an area innervated by individual nerves. It typically involves acute or subacute onset of the ailment (days, weeks) with accompanying pain, deeply located in the proximal part of the affected limb and painful paraesthesias in the scope of sensory nerve supply. The onset may also be painless with dominating weakness of the limb. Early detected multiple mononeuropathy and proper diagnosis of the underlying vascular inflammation determines successful treatment by means of immunosuppression in the broad sense, usually including GK and immunosuppressive agents (azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, or mycophenolate mofetil) [36].

Sensory ganglionopathy (sensory neuronopathy)

It regards selective damage to the dorsal root ganglia. All sensory modalities may be distorted, but clinical manifestations are usually dominated by symptoms of damage to the type 1a large sensory fibres, conducting signals from muscle spindles. The main sign is unstable gait with a wide base of support. Unsteadiness of gait results in the fact that sensory neuropathy is a cause of significant immobility of the patients, which often forces them to use a wheelchair. Apart from gait instability, characteristic features include intensified dysfunction of vibration sensation and absent deep tendon reflexes (areflexia) while maintaining proper muscle strength [40, 41].

In some cases involuntary, irregular athetosis-like movements (pseudoathetoid movements) of limbs were observed, suggesting extrapyramidal symptoms. The course of the disease is usually subacute with symptoms aggravating within a few weeks [42]. Sensory neuropathy is usually symmetric, but there are cases where symptoms intensify unilaterally. In contrast to multiple mononeuropathy or distal sensory neuropathy, the symptoms occur along the entire limb as well as in the area of the trunk [40]. Electrodiagnostic study shows reduced or absent sensory nerve action potentials. Somatosensory evoked potential abnormalities are also observed. Motor conduction studies and needle electromyography results remain normal [3, 8, 38, 40]. Biopsy shows T lymphocyte infiltration in the dorsal root ganglia and reduction of large fibres. Although sensory ganglionopathy is a common symptom of pSS, no immunological profile characteristic of this type of neuropathy has been found. One recent study indicated that patients with neuropathy are usually seronegative, while the biopsy of the minor salivary glands shows intensive lymphocytic infiltration (2, 28). Currently, there are no treatment regimens for sensory neuropathy. So far there have been some trials with immunoglobulins [43, 44], interferon-α [45], D-penicillamine, and rituximab (monoclonal antibody anti-CD20). However, the results of treatment were unsatisfactory.

Small fibre neuropathy

Small fibre neuropathy occurs from damage to the A-δ small myelinated fibres and/or unmyelinated C fibres which conduct nociceptive stimuli and temperatures. It is one of the most common types of neuropathy in pSS. It is characterised by very painful, burning paraesthesias (the severity of pain according to the Visual Analogue Scale being at least 5). The onset is subacute or chronic, lasting for weeks or months. Neurological examination often shows no abnormalities or demonstrates pain sensation dysfunction (decreased pinprick) as well as decreased thermal sensation, with maintained vibratory sensation and proprioception. Contrary to diabetic neuropathy where the symptoms are more intense distally, the neuropathy in pSS concerns more patients who demonstrate symptoms in a non-length-dependent fashion, involving proximal parts of limbs, trunk or face. Conventional sensory nerve conduction studies show no abnormalities. The above fact in combination with the normal result of neurological examination is a cause of frequent suspicion of psychosomatic disorders [46].

In order to confirm the diagnosis of this type of neuropathy, a skin biopsy is performed, which reveals reduction in intra-epidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD). Due to lack of diagnostic tools, the frequency of occurrence of this neuropathy has still not been evaluated. It is assumed that it occurs in 5–10% of patients with pSS. In some of them the disease also affects larger sensory fibres which conduct the touch sensation or even limb position [47]. Treatment is mainly symptomatic, including tricyclic antidepressants, duloxetine and antiepileptic drugs (gabapentin, duloxetine), the next option being opioids.

Cranial nerve neuropathies

Sensory trigeminal nerve (V) involvement is the most commonly described type of cranial neuropathy in pSS. It is usually unilateral and affects the middle branch (the maxillary nerve). Patients with pSS have also been diagnosed with facial nerve neuropathy as well as impairment of the cochlear (VIII) nerve, and also with both hearing loss and vestibular symptoms [7]. Mori et al. [8] described multifocal involvement of the 3^rd, 6^th, 5^th, 7^th, 9^th, 10^th, and 12^th nerves in diverse combinations.

Anterior horn cell damage

Motor neuron diseases, also called diseases affecting the anterior horn cells, occur in exceptional cases in patients with pSS [16, 48, 49]. In most of the described cases the paresis, atrophies and fasciculations (fast contractions of muscle fibres occurring spontaneously and irregularly) were visible mainly in distal parts of limbs. No accompanying signs of damage to the upper motor neuron were found. Electrodiagnostic study showed normal sensory nerve conduction. Motor nerve conduction studies demonstrated reduced (compound muscle action potential) CMAP amplitudes and prolonged latency or absence of the F-wave. The needle examination showed signs of acute denervation (fibrillation potentials, positive sharp waves) and fasciculation potentials (spontaneous involuntary discharge of single motor units). Histopathological examination demonstrated mononuclear cell infiltration in the area of motor neurons and axon degeneration. Atrophy and motor root fibrosis were also observed (a result corresponding to prolonged F-wave latency or absent F-wave). No features of vascular inflammation were found. Histopathological examination of the upper motor neurons was normal [50]. Improvement after treatment with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs was reported [51].

Myositis in primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Mild myositis was documented in some patients with pSS, reporting fatigability and myalgia-like symptoms. Discrete histopathological lesions, suggesting myositis, may be found in most patients. However, clinical symptoms of myositis with relevant laboratory, electrophysiological and histopathological test results regard a few per cent of patients with pSS [52]. Some reports have included presence of histopathological lesions similar to those presented in the case of inclusion body myositis [53, 54].

Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in primary Sjögren’s syndrome

So far only single cases of hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in pSS have been described with complications of renal tubular acidosis (RTA) [25, 55]. One patient was also diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. The symptoms of dryness were mild or absent, despite the positive result of the Schirmer test and positive result of the minor salivary gland biopsy. Supplementation with potassium, vitamin D and glucocorticosteroids allowed remission of the symptoms to be achieved.

Neurological manifestations of primary Sjögren’s syndrome in the autonomic nervous system

Disorders of the autonomic nervous system (dysautonomia) in pSS were diagnosed with variable frequency from 3 to 50% [8, 56]. The most common symptoms included orthostatic hypotension, heart arrhythmia, disorders of gastrointestinal motor activity, bladder dysfunction, secretomotor dysfunction, and Adie’s syndrome. The actual frequency of dysautonomia is difficult to evaluate due to diverse definitions and use of various methods for assessment of the autonomic system. Additionally, the function of the autonomic system is modulated by many factors, including emotional conditions, time of the day, temperature of the environment, stimulants, and drugs.

Involvement of the autonomic systems in pSS is caused by various mechanisms, different for different organs. Most symptoms are connected with type 3 muscarinic receptor blocking. The cause of development of dysautonomia may include cytokines interfering with cholinergic neurotransmission, destruction of autonomic nerve fibres of the external secretion gland cells, and inflammatory T lymphocytic infiltration in the area of root ganglia and nerves of the autonomic nervous system [57–59]. Additionally, patients with pSS have an increased level of cholinesterase (an enzyme which hydrolyses Ach) [60].

The function of the autonomic nervous system is most often examined using the orthostatic test and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART). Apart from clinical assessment, the following electrophysiological methods are used: microneurography, sympathetic skin response and measurement of the heart rate variability (HRV). The first two tests evaluate the function of the sympathetic system. HRV analysis evaluating the cardiovascular autonomic nervous system (ANS) function does not always reflect the autonomic nervous function in other organs.

Conclusions

Involvement of the nervous system in pSS is a negative prognostic factor. It is usually related to a more aggressive course of the disease. Patients diagnosed with pSS should be regularly examined by means of the ESSDAI (EULAR Sjögren syndrome disease activity index). The index includes domains which take into account damage to the muscles, peripheral nerves and central nervous system. In the case of damage to the nervous system more intensive treatment should be indicated. The need for precise neurological diagnostics should be stressed in the case of patients with pSS, and even in the case of a patient without any symptoms or signs of damage to the nervous system. Considering neurophysiological tests may contribute to detection of early stage of the damage to the nervous system, even in the pre-clinical phase.