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A new perspective on primary Sjogren’s syndrome: investigation of vestibular and balance functions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 June 2025

Emre Orhan Open the ORCID record for Emre Orhan [Opens in a new window] ,
Serdar Can Güven ,
Recep Karamert ,
Zafer Günendi  and
Bülent Gündüz
Emre Orhan*
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
Serdar Can Güven
Affiliation:
Clinic of Rheumatology, Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Recep Karamert
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
Zafer Günendi
Affiliation:
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
Bülent Gündüz
Affiliation:
Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
*
Corresponding author: Emre Orhan; Email: emreorhan9494@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objectives

Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic inflammatory condition with an autoimmune history that primarily affects women in middle age (male to female ratio is 1:9). This study aims to evaluate the functional balance status of the patients in primary Sjogren’s syndrome and to examine their peripheral and central vestibular functions.

Methods

A total of 24 patients with primary Sjogren’s syndrome and 26 sex-matched controls were included in this study. Gaze, saccade, tracking, optokinetic, video head impulse and sensory organisation tests were performed on the participants.

Results

Significant decreases were observed in video head impulse and sensory organisation tests in participants with Sjogren’s syndrome compared to controls.

Conclusion

This study documented the findings of patients with Sjogren’s syndrome from a vestibular and balance perspective. The study’s findings have guided relevant professionals in the follow-up of patients with Sjogren’s syndrome to improve patients’ daily life, balancing performance and quality of life.

Keywords

postural balanceSjogren’s syndromevestibular system
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , First View , pp. 1 - 6
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Emre Orhan takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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