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Average Sjögren’s syndrome diagnosis time cut in half
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The Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation announced that the average diagnosis time for Sjögren’s syndrome is now 2.8 years, surpassing the foundation’s initial goal.
According to an announcement from the group, in 2012 the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation (SSF) launched its 5-Year Breakthrough Goal to cut Sjögren’s syndrome average diagnosis time of 6 years in half.
Working with marketing research company, Polaris, to collect and analyze survey data from newly diagnosed patients, SFF set the diagnosis benchmark at 3 years. SFF said its Breakthrough Goal Committee subsequently developed three action items to reach the target: increase public awareness, increase involvement from friends and partners and increase education and awareness in the health care professional sector.
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that often first presents with dry mouth, dry eye, fatigue and joint pain. Without proper diagnosis, Sjögren’s could lead to corneal scarring, loss of teeth, internal organ development or chronic upper respiratory problems, according to the announcement.
“In 2018, the SSF will continue our commitment to accelerating the development of better diagnostic, management and therapeutics that will have the greatest potential impact on improving the quality of life for Sjögren’s patients,” SSF CEO Steven Taylor, said in the announcement.