Increased incidence of urinary tract infection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and secondary Sjogren's syndrome

The incidence of lower urinary tract infection in 120 women with rheumatoid arthritis and secondary Sjogren's syndrome was evaluated retrospectively. Thirty one patients (26%) had secondary Sjogren's syndrome. Recurrent urinary tract infection was significantly more common in these patients (11/31) than in patients without Sjogren's syndrome (4/89). Habitual leucocyturia was also more common in patients with secondary Sjogren's syndrome (18/31) than in patients with rheumatoid arthritis without Sjogren's syndrome (8/89). Ofseven patients with vaginal sicca symptoms, six had recurrent urinary tract infection. Urinary 24 hour mucopolysaccharide excretion in 20 patients with Sjogren's syndrome was similar to the excretion in 10 patients without Sjogren's syndrome. These results show that recurrent urinary tract infection is significantly more common in women with rheumatoid arthritis and secondary Sjogren's syndrome. A local deficit in protective urinary mucosal secretion or other immune mechanisms may be responsible for this susceptibility.