[Pulse therapy in the complex treatment of severe forms of Sjögren's syndrome and disease].

Ten patients with Sjögren's disease and 5 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus combined with Sjögren's syndrome received therapy with high doses of 6-methylprednisolone (pulse-therapy) and cyclophosphamide. Improvement of the stomatological signs of the disease was noted in all the patients: salivation increased, the parotid glands considerably decreased in size, parotiditis recurrences were absent or seldom, and the number of the functioning salivary glands of the lower lip increased. The above therapy showed a positive effect on ophthalmological symptoms of the disease in 5 patients. Combination therapy (6-MP and CP) was effective for the management of such systemic symptoms of SD and SS as arthritis, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, exudative polyserositis, polyneuritis, ulcerative-necrotic vasculitis, cerebrovasculitis, cryoglobulinemic purpura and glomerulonephritis. A significant decrease in the levels of immunoglobulins especially IgA, A-nDNA, cryoglobulins, titers of rheumatoid factors, circulating immune complexes and an increase in the complement were noted in response to therapy.