Investigation of the relationship between hypertension and asymptomatic organ damage in patients with Sjogren’s disease

The study aimed to compare the development of asymptomatic cardiovascular (CV) organ damage in hypertensive patients with and without Sjogren syndrome (SS), a condition characterized by inflammatory processes that lead to vascular damage. Forty hypertensive patients with SS (aged 18-65) and 40 age- and sex-matched hypertensive patients without this syndrome were included into the study. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured from area of 1 cm length proximal to both carotid bulbs. Left ventricular mass index was determined via echocardiography, and microalbuminuria was calculated from spot urine samples. Hypertensive retinopathy was assessed through fundoscopy. Asymptomatic organ damage was found in 51.2% of all participants: 61% in the Sjogren group and 39% in controls, with a statistically significant difference between groups and sexes (P = .041). Carotid intima-media thickness was higher in the Sjogren group (0.815 mm vs 0.607 mm in controls), and left ventricular mass index was significantly elevated in the Sjogren group (92.54 g/m² vs 83.07 g/m², P = .016). All patients with Sjogren disease had at least stage 1 hypertensive retinopathy, while 14 patients in the control group had not. Microalbuminuria values were higher in the Sjogren group but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .082). Hypertensive patients with SS exhibit more asymptomatic organ damage compared to those without the syndrome. Close monitoring and CV screening with measurement of tools which are reflecting subclinical atherosclerosis are recommended for prevention and early detection of overt CV diseases in this population.