Exploring hand function in newly diagnosed primary Sjögren’s syndrome: Clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic insights

Background: Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease. Musculoskeletal and neurological system involvement occurs in patients with pSS, which may lead to impairment in hand function. Hand dysfunction and its underlying causes remain an underexplored area in pSS. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate hand function in patients with newly diagnosed pSS, exploring the associations with disease activity, clinical parameters, and radiographic and ultrasonographic findings. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Fifty patients with newly diagnosed pSS and 50 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Hand functions were evaluated using the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) and hand grip strength measurements. Detailed hand physical examination was made. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was assessed with the CTS −6 questionnaire and electrodiagnostic methods. Hands A-P radiography was evaluated for joint erosion, joint space narrowing. Ultrasonographic assessment of hand was made for intercarpal and metacarpophalangeal joint synovitis and extensor tenosynovitis. Additional evaluations included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short Form-36 (SF-36), Fatigue severity scale (FSS) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI). Results: Patients with pSS exhibited significantly higher DHI scores compared to controls (p = 0.027, r = 0.22) and lower non-dominant hand grip strength (p = 0.016, r = 0.30), while dominant hand grip strength did not differ significantly (p = 0.520, r = 0.08). Higher HADS anxiety (p < 0.001, r = 0.63) and depression scores (p < 0.001, r = 0.55) were noted in pSS patients. Additionally, these patients had reduced SF-36 scores (p < 0.001, r = 0.53). DHI scores were significantly correlated with ESSDAI (ρ = 0.413, p = 0.003), SF-36 (ρ = −0.605, p < 0.001), HADS (**ρ = 0.307 for anxiety, p = 0.030; ρ = 0.286 for depression, p = 0.044), hand grip strength (ρ = −0.298 for dominant hand, p = 0.036; ρ = −0.280 for non-dominant hand, p = 0.049), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (ρ = 0.893, p < 0.001), and FSS (ρ = 0.378, p = 0.007). Ultrasonographic evaluations revealed synovitis and/or tenosynovitis in 18% of patients, while CTS was detected in 32%. Conclusions: This study highlights significant hand function impairments in newly diagnosed pSS patients, with DHI scores correlating with disease activity, psychological well-being, and general health. These findings underscore the importance of early and comprehensive hand assessments using advanced diagnostic tools to improve patient outcomes.