Sjögren's syndrome: association of anti-Ro(SS-A) antibodies with vasculitis, hematologic abnormalities, and serologic hyperreactivity.

The clinical significance of autoantibodies to Ro(SS-A) and La(SS-B) in Sjögren's syndrome was examined in a retrospective evaluation of 75 patients with symptoms of the sicca complex who had either primary Sjögren's syndrome or Sjögren's syndrome associated with another connective tissue disease. The clinical, hematologic, and serologic features associated with autoantibodies to the small molecular weight ribonucleoproteins Ro(SS-A) and La(SS-B) were ascertained. A striking clinical association of anti-Ro(SS-A) antibodies (found in 33 patients) with extraglandular disease (vasculitis, purpura, and lymphadenopathy) was seen. Hematologic abnormalities (anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia) were also associated with the presence of anti-Ro(SS-A) antibodies. Furthermore, anti-Ro(SS-A) antibody was associated with hyperglobulinemia, increased serologic reactivity in terms of rheumatoid and antinuclear factors, cryoglobulinemia, and hypocomplementemia. The presence of anti-Ro(SS-A) antibodies defines a subset of patients with Sjögren's syndrome who have systemic clinical manifestations including vasculitis, hematologic abnormalities, and serologic hyperreactivity.