Cholinergic-drug induced sicca syndrome in Parkinson's disease: a case report and a review of the literature

A 67-year-old woman developed severe sicca manifestations after initial treatment of Parkinson's disease with an anti-cholinergic drug, which prompted us to look for the presence of Sjogren's syndrome. The results of sialography, labial salivary gland biopsy, Rose-Bengal test as well as the presence of antinuclear antibody were consistent with the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. The sicca symptoms diminished by cessation of the anti-cholinergic drug, and the parkinsonian features were controlled by levodopa. We suggest that Sjogren's syndrome should be considered, if patients with Parkinson's disease complain severe xerostomia. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.