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What is Sjögren’s syndrome?

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Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the destruction of the glands that produce moisture, primarily tears and saliva. The primary form of the condition affects the mouth and eyes. The secondary form may affect the kidneys and lungs and occur alone or with other autoimmune disorders such as polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus

There is no known cause of the syndrome. It occurs most frequently in women aged 40 to 50 years. It is rare in children.

Symptoms in the eyes include itchiness or a feeling that something is in the eye. In the mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing or eating may occur, as may loss of sense of taste, difficulty speaking, thick or stringy saliva, mouth sores or pain, or hoarseness of the voice. Fatigue, fever, change in color of the hands or feet, joint pain or swelling, skin rashes or dryness, swollen glands and vaginal dryness are general symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome.

The aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms. Artificial tears, eye lubricants or cyclosoporine liquid are used to relieve the eyes. Plugs may also be applied to tear drainage ducts to keep tears on the surface of the eye.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs similar to those used for rheumatoid arthritis may improve the symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome. This drug class includes tumor necrosis factor inhibitors.

Sipping water and chewing sugarless gum may improve mouth dryness, as may avoiding medications that dry the mouth. Solutions to replace minerals in the teeth, saliva substitutes and other salivary gland stimulators may also be beneficial. When Sjögren’s syndrome presents as arthritis, the arthritis should be treated empirically.

Sjögren’s syndrome is generally not life-threatening but may be linked to increased lymphoma risk.

Additional information about Sjögren’s syndrome may be found at these websites:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sjogrenssyndrome.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sjogrens-syndrome/DS00147

http://www.sjogrens.org/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001491/