Johns Hopkins Sjogrens Center

SICCA Goal Exceeded!

jill — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:01:45 +0000

We are proud to announce that on October 5th 2012, participants 300 and 301 were enrolled in the SICCA registry at Johns Hopkins. The study has been a huge success thanks in large part to the collaborative efforts of the Wilmer Eye Center, the Dental Clinic and the Divisions of Rheumatology and Otolaryngology. We especially want to thank the participants who so generously gave of their time to complete the required visits. Enrollment is now complete but the data and samples provided will contribute to Sjögren’s research for many years to come.

11th International Symposium on Sjögren’s Syndrome – Athens, Greece

tonykeyes — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:19:26 +0000

Drs. Baer, Birnbaum, and Grader Beck, along with Anthony Keyes recently attended the 11th International Symposium on Sjögren’s Syndrome held in Athens, Greece. Multiple posters, representing the work of researchers at the Jerome L. Greene Sjögren’s Syndrome Center, were presented at the meeting. Drs. Baer and Birnbaum served as Chairmen of keynote lectures.

The Symposium provided up-to-date information on a wide range of key topics. Areas included diagnostic criteria, autoantibodies, evaluation of salivary glands and lip biopsies, immunopathology, the role of B-cells, genetics, and clinical trials.

The occasion also served as a meeting place for the Sjögren’s International Collaborative Clinical Alliance (SICCA) where Dr. Baer presented a relevant case study and Anthony discussed the successful recruitment efforts of the Johns Hopkins site.

WBFF FOX45 – Top Stories – Sjogren’s Syndrome – Myranda Stephens 09/02/11

tonykeyes — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:10:45 +0000

Dr. Alan Baer, Director of the Jerome L. Greene Sjogren’s Syndrome Center at Johns Hopkins, was interviewed by Myranda Stephens of Fox 45 Baltimore. Ms. Stephens was also given a “behind-the-scenes” tour of our laboratory by Anthony Keyes, Research Program Coordinator. We wish to thank laboratory personel Davie and Erika, who appear in cameo’s, as well as Janelle for their assistance.

http://www.foxbaltimore.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wbff_vid_9154.shtml

A disease that sidelined tennis star Venus Williams may be new to many, but not to the researchers and doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The Sjogren’s Syndrome Center at Bayview Medical Center opened 2-year-ago and has since treated more than 1,000 patients with the condition.

Sjogren’s Syndrome is an auto-immune disease that attacks a person’s moisture-producing glands, leading to dry eyes and mouth, joint pain, and fatigue.

Williams, was recently diagnose with Sjogren’s. The professional tennis player announced this week, that she was withdrawing from the U.S. Open because of the disease.

Myranda Stephens has more on the attacking disease.

Original Airdate: Friday, September 2 2011, 11:08 PM EDT

Venus Williams has Sjogren’s, but what is it? – Baltimore Sun Blog 09/01/11

tonykeyes — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 20:58:00 +0000

Venus Williams has withdrawn from the U.S. Open because she’s has Sjogren’s syndrome, a hard-to-diagnose autoimmune disorder that can cause dry eyes and mouth and painful joints.

It’s not exactly clear what causes the disorder, but it probably has a genetic link – though that doesn’t mean Williams’ sister Serena has a greater risk, said Dr. Julius Birnbaum, associate director of the Johns Hopkins Jerome L. Greene Sjögren’s Syndrome Center.

He said viral infections and other factors could play a role.

“Sjogren’s syndrome is emerging as among the most common autoimmune diseases affecting adults,” said Birnbaum. “Two to four million adults may be affected.

He said the body’s strategy for combating infections and tumors “essentially turns into a traitor and starts targeting different organs.” It targets the glands that produce tears in people’s eyes and saliva in their mouths. It also can affect a host of different organs.

It’s hard to diagnose because the dryness isn’t always considered a factor by doctors who are looking for causes of fatigue and joint pain.

Birnbaum said the disease is chronic, but that it’s treatable. The first line of defense is a drug called Plaquenil, which originally was developed as an anti-malarial drug but is now used for Sjogren’s and Lupus. If that is ineffective, there are other drugs that can suppress the immune system.

Doctors will also have to look for hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiency and other causes of fatigue that often surface in Sjogren’s patients.

“In the absence of other organ complications, Venus can hopefully return to tennis,” Birnbaum said, though he’s not treated the tennis star and is not familiar with the specifics of her case. “There will need to be a lifelong commitment to treatment.”

To read more, go to the Hopkins Sjogren’s Syndrome Center website or this Los Angeles Times story.

Original Article: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/health/2011/09/venus_williams_has_sjogrens_bu.html

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