Articular manifestations of primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Twenty-six of 31 patients with primary Sjögren's Syndrome who had longterm followup and fulfilled strict criteria for inclusion but were otherwise unselected had articular manifestations attributable to this disease. Articular manifestations preceded sicca symptoms in 10, were simultaneous in 7, and followed sicca symptoms in 9 patients. Involvement was polyarticular in the 26, symmetric in 22, intermittent in 21, and continuous in 5. Synovitis was detected in 24, but was usually mild. These articular manifestations of primary Sjögren's syndrome were generally mild and responded readily to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents.