The sicca syndrome in thalassaemia major

Abstract

A 20 year old man with β thalassaemia developed symptoms of the sicca syndrome. His serum contained rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies. A biopsy specimen of labial salivary gland showed large accumulations of haemosiderin within the parenchymal cells of the acini. Although in this case the sicca syndrome could not be definitely distinguished from Sjogren's syndrome, the patient's HLA type was not the one usually associated with Sjogren's syndrome. Histological appearances suggested that the causative factor of the sicca syndrome was iron overload owing to an intensive blood transfusion regimen.