Nisha Pandey

Sjögren’s Disease Day: New Blood Test May Detect The Autoimmune Condition 14 Years Before Symptoms Appear

Researchers have developed an ultrasensitive blood test that can detect biological signs of Sjögren’s disease more than a decade before symptoms appear, potentially paving the way for earlier treatment and precision medicine.

Published in <em>The <span rel="noindex">Lancet Rheumatology</span></em>, the researchers found that elevated levels of interferon-alpha (IFN-α), a key immune signaling protein, can be detected in the blood up to 14 years before a clinical diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease.

Observed every year on July 23, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/the-overlooked-health-conditions-affecting-women-during-their-most-productive-working-years-article-155155232" data-type="tilCustomLink">Sjögren’s Disease Day</a> raises awareness about a chronic autoimmune disease that often goes undiagnosed for years because its symptoms, including dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue, and joint pain, can mimic other conditions.

Diagnosis often takes years, by then damage to the salivary glands, tear glands, nerves, lungs, or kidneys already happens, making recovery impossible.

The newly developed blood test could change that by identifying people at risk long before symptoms begin. This could allow doctors to monitor patients closely and begin treatment earlier.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/world-sjogrens-day-2025-theme-significance-and-why-this-mild-autoimmune-condition-can-be-life-altering-article-152333379" data-type="tilCustomLink">World Sjogren’s Day 2025: Why This “Mild” Autoimmune Condition Can Be Life-Altering</a> 

The researchers analyzed blood samples from:

<ul><li>177 people with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/what-is-dry-eye-syndrome-and-what-are-the-key-causes-that-affect-it-article-151032529" data-type="tilCustomLink">Sjögren’s disease</a> enrolled in the UK Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome Registry.</li><li>More than 47,000 participants from the UK Biobank, including 257 people who later developed Sjögren’s disease.</li></ul>

Using an ultrasensitive single-molecule blood test, they measured interferon-alpha, a protein produced by the immune system during inflammation. The findings showed:

<ul><li>About 61% of patients with Sjögren’s disease had significantly elevated IFN-α levels.</li><li>Distinct immune protein "fingerprints" linked to IFN-α were detectable up to 14 years before diagnosis.</li><li>People with high IFN-α formed a biologically distinct subgroup, despite having symptoms similar to other patients.</li><li>Mouse experiments further suggested that persistently elevated IFN-α can drive immune changes associated with the disease.</li></ul>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/mayim-bialik-says-just-one-glp-1-injection-triggered-nightmare-side-effects-article-154512597" data-type="tilCustomLink">Mayim Bialik Says Just One GLP-1 Shot Triggered ‘Nightmare’ Side Effects</a>

The researchers believe the test could help doctors identify which patients are most likely to benefit from therapies that specifically target interferon-driven inflammation.

Professor David Hunt, from the University of Edinburgh, said, "Sjögren's disease is a debilitating condition which is often overlooked. We are delighted to have shown how precision medicine technologies can be used in Sjögren's disease to help decode the immune pathways which cause disease. We hope that this is an important step towards making our ultrasensitive IFN-α blood test available to people affected by this condition." 

Professor Rayk Behrendt, from University Hospital Bonn, added, "Now, for the first time, we can take treatments geared toward suppressing the interferon effect and trial them specifically on patients with elevated interferon levels. We might also find new approaches to treatment that will help a large percentage of patients over the long term."

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Sjögren’s disease is a chronic <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ever-felt-pins-and-needles-on-your-body-science-tells-you-why-article-153733416" data-type="tilCustomLink">autoimmune disorder</a> in which the immune system attacks the body's moisture-producing glands, particularly those that make tears and saliva.

Although dry eyes and dry mouth are the primary symptoms, the disease can also affect the joints, lungs, kidneys, nervous system, and other organs. Around 90% of patients are women, and diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms overlap with those of many other illnesses. 

Researchers say the findings mark a major step toward earlier diagnosis and precision medicine for Sjögren’s disease, offering hope that future patients may receive treatment years before irreversible organ damage develops.

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Researchers have developed an ultrasensitive blood test that can detect biological signs of Sjögren’s disease more than a decade before symptoms appear, potentially paving the way for earlier treatment and precision medicine.Published in The Lancet Rheumatology, the researchers found that elevated levels of interferon-alpha (IFN-α), a key immune signaling protein, can be detected in the blood up to 14 years before a clinical diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease. Importance Of Early DiagnosisObserved every year on July 23, Sjögren’s Disease Day raises awareness about a chronic autoimmune disease that often goes undiagnosed for years because its symptoms, including dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue, and joint pain, can mimic other conditions.Diagnosis often takes years, by then damage to the salivary glands, tear glands, nerves, lungs, or kidneys already happens, making recovery impossible.The newly developed blood test could change that by identifying people at risk long before symptoms begin. This could allow doctors to monitor patients closely and begin treatment earlier.Also read: World Sjogren’s Day 2025: Why This “Mild” Autoimmune Condition Can Be Life-Altering How Was The Study Conducted? The researchers analyzed blood samples from:177 people with Sjögren’s disease enrolled in the UK Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome Registry.More than 47,000 participants from the UK Biobank, including 257 people who later developed Sjögren’s disease.Using an ultrasensitive single-molecule blood test, they measured interferon-alpha, a protein produced by the immune system during inflammation. The findings showed:About 61% of patients with Sjögren’s disease had significantly elevated IFN-α levels.Distinct immune protein "fingerprints" linked to IFN-α were detectable up to 14 years before diagnosis.People with high IFN-α formed a biologically distinct subgroup, despite having symptoms similar to other patients.Mouse experiments further suggested that persistently elevated IFN-α can drive immune changes associated with the disease.Also read: Mayim Bialik Says Just One GLP-1 Shot Triggered ‘Nightmare’ Side EffectsThe researchers believe the test could help doctors identify which patients are most likely to benefit from therapies that specifically target interferon-driven inflammation.Professor David Hunt, from the University of Edinburgh, said, "Sjögren's disease is a debilitating condition which is often overlooked. We are delighted to have shown how precision medicine technologies can be used in Sjögren's disease to help decode the immune pathways which cause disease. We hope that this is an important step towards making our ultrasensitive IFN-α blood test available to people affected by this condition." Professor Rayk Behrendt, from University Hospital Bonn, added, "Now, for the first time, we can take treatments geared toward suppressing the interferon effect and trial them specifically on patients with elevated interferon levels. We might also find new approaches to treatment that will help a large percentage of patients over the long term." What Is Sjögren’s Disease?         Sjögren’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the body's moisture-producing glands, particularly those that make tears and saliva.Although dry eyes and dry mouth are the primary symptoms, the disease can also affect the joints, lungs, kidneys, nervous system, and other organs. Around 90% of patients are women, and diagnosis is often delayed because symptoms overlap with those of many other illnesses. Researchers say the findings mark a major step toward earlier diagnosis and precision medicine for Sjögren’s disease, offering hope that future patients may receive treatment years before irreversible organ damage develops.