Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome without central nervous system involvement

OBJECTIVES: Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune, multisystem exocrinopathy characterized by dysfunction of the exocrine glands. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is estimated to be present in 10–60% patients with pSS. The present study aimed to evaluate brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in pSS patients without central nervous system involvement, and without otolaryngological abnormalities. METHOD: Thirty-six pSS patients (35 women, 1 man, mean age 48 years old) and 40 healthy volunteers were investigated. BAEP, brain imaging, laboratory parameters, and clinical neurological and otolaryngological examinations were performed. RESULTS: Abnormal BAEP were recorded in 16.7% patients. The mean wave BAEP I and V latency and mean wave III-V and I-V interpeak latencies were significantly longer in pSS patients than the controls. There were no statistically significant correlations between BAEP parameters and laboratory tests. None of the patients was found having the abnormalities on brain imaging. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that in pSS patients without clinical central nervous system impairment, auditory pathway disturbances could be found. Disorders of brain bioelectrical activity may be a consequence of ongoing autoimmune process.