Sjogren's Syndrome News and Research

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Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune syndrome characterized by lymphocyte infiltration of salivary glands, resulting in symptomatic eye and mouth dryness. Sjogren's syndrome can be associated with extraglandular presentations, such as musculoskeletal features including fatigue and fibromyalgia, in nearly 50% of patients, and fewer patients complain of arthralgias. According to the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation, the condition affects approximately two million to four million Americans, mostly middle-age women.

Scientists identify protein sorting mechanism used by salivary gland

University of Louisville researchers are one step closer to helping millions of people whose salivary glands no longer work because of disease or damage from treatment of diseases.

3 Jun 2011

New lozenge clinical trial for dry mouth treatment

A clinical trial using an all-natural lozenge to treat dry mouth, a condition that impacts 40 percent of American adults, is under way at Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine.

17 Mar 2011

Vitamin D deficiency could be linked to development of certain autoimmune lung diseases

A new study shows that vitamin D deficiency could be linked to the development and severity of certain autoimmune lung diseases.

4 Jan 2011

Hydroxychloroquine may reduce cardiac neonatal lupus in subsequent pregnancies: Research

Women with anti-SSA/Ro antibodies and a previous child who has heart block a condition where the electrical signal that makes the heart beat is damaged may potentially decrease their risk of delivering another child with life threatening heart disease by taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

8 Nov 2010

REMURA Phase 2 clinical study results highlighted at Tear Film & Ocular Surface conference

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today highlighted results from the Company's REMURA (bromfenac ophthalmic solution for dry eye) Phase 2 clinical study.

27 Sep 2010

ISTA Pharmaceuticals initiates REMURA Phase 3 clinical program for dry eye disease

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced that it has initiated a Phase 3 clinical program of ISTA's proprietary formulation of REMURA (bromfenac ophthalmic solution for dry eye) for alleviating the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. The Phase 3 efficacy studies are being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreed upon with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

16 Sep 2010

Anthera initiates PEARL-SC Phase 2b study of A-623 for lupus

Anthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing drugs to treat serious diseases associated with inflammation, today announced it has initiated PEARL-SC, the Phase 2b study of A-623, a novel inhibitor of B-Cell Activating Factor, or BAFF, for the treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (lupus). Lupus patients suffer from a chronic autoimmune disease, which often leads to severe skin rash, fatigue, joint pain, major organ complications, and cardiovascular disease.

30 Jul 2010

Ophthalmology professor receives $60,000 RPB award to research Sjogren's syndrome

Hui Shao, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, has received a $60,000 Lew R. Wasserman Merit Award from the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) organization. The grant will help fund Shao's research of Sjogren's syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease that targets the salivary and lacrimal glands - the glands that produce saliva and tears, respectively - resulting in dry mouth and dry eye symptoms.

13 Jul 2010

Dry-mouth and dry-eye symptoms often misdiagnosed by healthcare professionals

Results from a recent survey of 400 Sjogren's syndrome patients showed that half of those surveyed experienced common symptoms such as dry mouth or dry eyes for three or more years before receiving an accurate diagnosis from a healthcare professional.

6 Apr 2010

New muco-adhesive patch may help treat oral disorders

6 Apr 2010

Time-released muco-adhesive patch more effective than oral rinse for xerostomia

A newly developed time-released muco-adhesive patch for treating oral health conditions, including the widespread condition of dry mouth (xerostomia), has been shown to be more effective than a leading oral rinse, according to a newly-published study. As increasing segments of the population consume more medications (one of the leading causes of dry mouth), the results of this study could potentially help provide relief for millions of Americans.

23 Mar 2010

Liquid CMO seeks osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia patients for pilot study in Phoenix

Makers of a new liquid natural supplement formulation of Cetyl-Myristoleate (CMO) are seeking osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia patients for a pilot study in Phoenix beginning Monday, April 12, 2010.

16 Mar 2010

March designated as 'National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month'

On the evening of March 4, 2010, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating March as "National Autoimmune Diseases Awareness Month" and supporting efforts to increase awareness of autoimmune diseases and increase funding for autoimmune disease research. The Senate resolution (S.RES.372) was introduced by Michigan Senator Carl Levin on December 8, 2009.

9 Mar 2010

Researchers receive grant to study how ILD appears in patients with autoimmune diseases

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati Interstitial Lung Disease Center have received a grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to study ways ILD first appears in certain patient groups with autoimmune diseases and how to more efficiently diagnose and treat it.

24 Feb 2010

Inadequate saliva and fluoride can contribute to tooth decay

Tooth enamel is tough, harder even than skeletal bone. But even with good dental hygiene, the enamel protecting teeth may show signs of decay in older adults. The January issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter covers what to look out for and what to do to promote an enamel-friendly setting in the mouth. According to the newsletter, two significant contributors to tooth decay are too little saliva and inadequate fluoride.

18 Jan 2010

Xerostomia linked to use of multiple medications

Approximately ninety-one percent of dentists say patients complaining about dry mouth are taking multiple medications, according to a nationwide member survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

9 Jul 2009

Discovery of possible preventative therapy for type 1 diabetes

Scientists believe they may have found a preventative therapy for type 1 diabetes, by making the body's killer immune cells tolerate the insulin-producing cells they would normally attack and destroy, prior to disease onset.

29 Apr 2009

Novagali Pharma announces FDA clearance of trial for treatment of dry eye syndrome

Novagali Pharma has announced that the Company's Investigational New Drug Application (IND) to conduct a pivotal Phase III clinical trial of its Cyclosporine A ocular product, Nova22007, has been granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

27 Apr 2007

New fetal heart monitor

New technology, the size of a mobile phone, which could save the life of an unborn child, has been developed by scientists from The University of Nottingham.