Paucity of Sjögren-like syndrome in a cohort of HIV-1-positive patients in the HAART era. Part II

Abstract

Objective. This study was performed in order to investigate the prevalence of Sjögren-like syndrome (SLS) in the highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) era in a cohort of HIV-1-positive Greek patients. Methods. One hundred and thirty-one unselected patients were screened by the validated European Union (EU) criteria for Sjögren's syndrome. Of the 31 who gave a positive EU-validated questionnaire, 17 consented to undergo minor salivary gland biopsy and other tests. Results. Only two patients had a positive salivary gland biopsy and both belonged to the non-compliant HAART group, whereas none of the compliant HAART patients had histological findings. Conclusions. It is concluded that SLS, the prevalence of which in the pre-HAART era was 7.8%, has disappeared, possibly as a result of the protective action of HAART.