Aspartame-induced Sjogren syndrome.

To the Editor: The publication of three features on Sjogren syndrome in the December 2005 edition of the Southern Medical Journal warrants brief comment because of my longstanding interest in this disorder, and personal observations/research therein relative to the provocative role of products containing aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal).

I have described this association with each of the main clinical aspects of the Sjogren syndrome in aspartame reactors--including the reduction or absence of secretions from the lacrimal and salivary glands, arthropathy, and cerebral dysfunction. (1,2)

The counterparts of the young woman with submandibular swelling reported by Kulkarni (3) are found among patients that I cited with otherwise unexplained swelling of the salivary glands. (2) Dramatic swelling ("as large as golf balls") occurred as soon as 15 minutes after drinking an aspartame soda. The association was confirmed by predictable recurrence of such swelling--with or without systemic symptoms--on rechallenge.

The use of aspartame products by two-thirds of the population underscores the importance of this association.

H.J. Roberts, MD, FACP, FCCP 

Palm Beach Institute for Medical Research

West Palm Beach, FL

References

1. Roberts HJ. Aspartame (NutraSweet): Is It Safe? Philadelphia, The Charles Press, 1989.

2. Roberts HJ. Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic. West Palm Beach, Sunshine Sentinel Press, 2001.

3. Kulkarni K. Unusual presentation of Sjogren syndrome. South Med J 2005;98:1210-1211.