Stellate Ganglion Block may represent an effective therapeutic for Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

Abstract

Primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by xerophthalmia and xerostomia, leading to a notable decline in patients’ quality of life. Recent studies have shown a link between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction and pSS. The salivary and lacrimal glands are innervated by both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, highlighting the role of the ANS. Stellate ganglion block (SGB), a commonly used nerve block technique in clinical settings, exhibits the ability to modulate both the ANS and the immune response. Therefore, our hypothesis suggests that SGB may alleviate xerostomia and xerophthalmia in pSS patients through a short-term mechanism involving the adjustment of ANS balance and vasodilation to facilitate glandular secretion. Additionally, the long-term efficacy of SGB in pSS may be attributed to its neuroimmunomodulatory effects. Furthermore, it is likely that SGB could also improve a variety of ANS-related extra-glandular symptoms in pSS, including digestive, cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological issues.