#4-10E. Uncovering the Unmet Need: Neurological Symptoms in Sjögren's Disease (Rheumatology, 2026)

Are we missing the hidden burden of fatigue and neuropathic pain in our Sjögren's patients? This episode explores a recent multinational survey of 4,050 patients evaluating the real-world impact of neurological involvement in Sjögren's disease (neuro-SjD). The study reveals that all respondents experienced at least one neurological symptom, with a significant majority reporting medium-to-severe impacts on their quality of life, yet only a fraction received a formal diagnosis or effective pharmacological treatment. The most critical takeaway is the profound disconnect between patient suffering and medical response; half of the patients felt their neurological symptoms were actively underestimated by healthcare providers, highlighting a massive unmet clinical need. However, when critically appraising this study, we must consider that the data relies entirely on patient self-reporting, limiting our ability to objectively differentiate between organic neuro-SjD, functional neurological disorders, and overlapping conditions like fibromyalgia. For practicing physicians, this paper is a crucial reminder to actively listen to non-specific neurological complaints in Sjögren's patients, validate their experiences, and promptly consider multidisciplinary approaches or neurology referrals to improve comprehensive patient care.

Citation: Alunno A. The burden and profile of neurological symptoms in patients with Sjögren disease: results from an international survey. Rheumatology. 65(3), 1-7, 2026. DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keag102

Disclaimer: This audio summary is based on personal interpretation and does not guarantee the exact content of the original paper. Please refer to the original article for details.