Exploring Factors Associated With Psychological Resilience in Sjögren's Disease

AIM: This study aimed to examine the factors associated with psychological resilience in Sjögren's disease. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 83 patients (F/M: 79/4). Hyposalivation was observed in 41%, while Schirmer's test positivity was observed in 84.3% of patients. Scores of the Brief Resilience Scale, self-reported general health, self-reported oral health, EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), and physician global assessment for disease activity were noted. A mediation analysis was performed to examine the relationships among these variables. RESULTS: Lower BRS scores were associated with Schirmer's test positivity and reduced salivary flow rate, higher scores of ESSPRI, physician and patient global assessments of disease activity (p < 0.05). In the simple mediation analysis, a lower BRS score as the dependent variable was directly associated with a higher physician-assessed global disease activity as the independent variable and indirectly associated with the higher ESSPRI score as a mediator variable (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Since ocular dryness, lower salivary flow rates, physician global assessment of disease activity, and ESSPRI reflecting patient-reported symptom severity were identified as key contributors to lower levels of psychological resilience in Sjögren's disease, these measures may offer clinicians valuable guidance for tailoring more effective, patient-centered integrated multidisciplinary care strategies for patients with SjD.