Multiple sclerosis and rheumatic diseases: Behçet disease, sarcoidosis, and Sjögren syndrome

Abstract

Introduction

Multiple sclerosis can be associated with a range of rheumatic processes. Behçet disease is a relapsing, multisystemic, immune-mediated chronic vasculitic disorder of unknown aetiology, whose symptoms overlap with those of many autoinflammatory processes. Sarcoidosis is a universally distributed multisystem granulomatous disease. Sjögren syndrome is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease characterised by lymphocytic infiltration in exocrine glands, which causes xerostomia (dry mouth) and xerophthalmia (dry eyes). The most frequent extraglandular manifestations of the syndrome are musculoskeletal problems.

Development

We describe the most significant neurological complications of these rheumatic diseases, as well as the pharmacological treatments that may be indicated for these conditions and the possible contraindications in patients receiving treatment for multiple sclerosis.

Conclusions

We provide a series of recommendations for the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis who also present with Behçet disease, sarcoidosis, or Sjögren syndrome. Co-presence of any of these rheumatic diseases constitutes a contraindication for some treatments.