1.Autoimmune hemolytic anemia as the initial clinical manifestation of Sjögren’s syndrome
Altanshagai A ; Baigalmaa E ; Saruulkhunan J ; Odgerel Ts ;
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;91(1):268-271
Background:
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands, particularly the lacrimal and salivary glands, as a result of genetic and environmental factors, and it is mainly manifested by mucosal dryness. Sjögren’s syndrome is a rare disorder with a prevalence of approximately 6 cases per 1,000 population and shows a marked female predominance. It is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60 years. Anemia is observed in about 70% of patients diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome; however, autoimmune hemolytic anemia occurs in only approximately 3% of cases. In this report, we present a rare case of Sjögren’s syndrome that manifested with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Conclusion
In cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia of unknown etiology, it is crucial to investigate the underlying causes leading to hemolysis in order to establish the differential diagnosis and to confirm or exclude the condition. Sjögren’s syndrome typically presents initially with sicca symptoms, with chronic anemia developing during the course of the disease and its treatment. In contrast, in our case, persistent manifestations of autoimmune hemolytic anemia over a prolonged period represented the initial clinical presentation that led to the diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome. Immunological markers play a key role in the diagnosis of this syndrome, as they are essential for early detection of Sjögren’s syndrome, timely diagnostic confirmation, monitoring of disease progression, and adjustment of therapeutic dosing.
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