"Sicca complex" in liver disease

Abstract

Sixty-three patients with liver disease were studied for the presence of the components of Sjögren's syndrome. The "sicca complex" (that is, patients without arthritis) was detected in 42% of patients with active chronic hepatitis, 72% with primary biliary cirrhosis, and 38% with cryptogenic cirrhosis. One patient with active chronic hepatitis and one with primary biliary cirrhosis had rheumatoid arthritis. No evidence of Sjögren's syndrome was detected in seven patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. It is suggested that the sicca complex and autoimmune liver disease may be part of a systemic disorder in which immunological mechanisms are concerned in the pathogenesis.