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Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome is a disease in which the immune system turns against moisture-producing glands and causes dryness in certain areas of the body, especially the mouth and eyes. Common symptoms include dry eyes, dry mouth, and fatigue. Because there is no known cure, treatments for Sjogren's syndrome are generally focused on providing relief from symptoms and associated complications.

 

What Is Sjogren's Syndrome?

Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is an autoimmune disease -- that is, a disease in which the immune system turns against the body's own cells. In Sjogren's syndrome, the immune system targets moisture-producing glands and causes dryness in the mouth and eyes. Other parts of the body can be affected as well, resulting in a wide range of possible symptoms.
 

Understanding the Immune System and Sjogren's Syndrome

Normally, the immune system works to protect us from disease by destroying harmful invading organisms, such as viruses and bacteria. In the case of Sjogren's syndrome, disease-fighting cells attack the glands that produce tears and saliva (the lacrimal and salivary glands). Damage to these glands keeps them from working properly and causes dry eyes and dry mouth. In technical terms, dry eyes are called keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS, and dry mouth is called xerostomia. Your doctor may use these terms when talking to you about Sjogren's syndrome.
 
The disease can affect other glands too, such as those in the stomach, pancreas, and intestines, and can cause dryness in other places that need moisture, such as the nose, throat, airways, and skin.
 

Sjogren's Syndrome: A Rheumatic Disease and Connective Tissue Disorder

You might hear Sjogren's syndrome referred to as a rheumatic disease. A rheumatic disease causes inflammation in joints, muscles, skin, or other body tissue, and Sjogren's can do that. The many forms of arthritis, which often involve inflammation in the joints, among other problems, are examples of rheumatic diseases.
 
Sjogren's syndrome is also considered a disorder of connective tissue, which is the framework of the body that supports organs and tissues (joints, muscles, and skin).
 

Sjogren's Syndrome and Who It Affects

Experts believe that 1 to 4 million people have the disease. Most -- 90 percent -- are women. It can occur at any age, but Sjogren's syndrome usually is diagnosed after age 40, and can affect people of all races and ethnic backgrounds. Although it's rare, it can occur in children.
  

Types of Sjogren's Syndrome

There are two main types of Sjogren's syndrome:
 
  • Primary Sjogren's syndrome
  • Secondary Sjogren's syndrome.
     
Primary Sjogren's syndrome occurs by itself; the secondary form occurs with another disease. Both are systemic disorders, meaning they can affect the whole body, although the symptoms in the primary form are more restricted.
 

Cause of Sjogren's Syndrome

No one knows the exact cause of Sjogren's syndrome and why the immune system, which is designed to protect the body from foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the glands that provide moisture.
 
Sjogren's syndrome research scientists believe that genetics and/or the environment may play a role in the development of the condition.
 

Symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome

 
  • Dry eyes
  • Dry mouth.
     
Sjogren's syndrome can affect other parts of the body, including the:
 
  • Skin
  • Joints
  • Lungs,
  • Kidneys
  • Blood vessels
  • Nervous system.
 
When these areas are affected, symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome may include:
 
  • Dry skin
  • Pneumonia
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Skin rashes
  • Thyroid problems
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Numbness and tingling in the extremities
  • Fatigue.
     

Diagnosing Sjogren's Syndrome

When diagnosing Sjogren's syndrome, the doctor will first take a detailed medical history, which includes asking questions about your:
 
  • General health
  • Symptoms
  • Family medical history
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Smoking
  • Use of drugs or medications.
     
The doctor will also do a complete physical exam to check for signs of Sjogren's syndrome.
 
You may have some tests, too. First, the doctor will want to check your eyes and mouth to see if Sjogren's syndrome is causing your symptoms and how severe the problem is. Then the doctor may do other tests to see if the condition is present elsewhere in the body as well.
 

Treatment for Sjogren's Syndrome

There is no known cure for Sjogren's syndrome, nor is there a specific treatment for Sjogren's syndrome to restore gland secretion. Therefore, treatment is generally focused on providing relief of symptoms and associated complications.
 
You can learn more about treatment for Sjogren's syndrome based on the symptoms by going to any of the following eMedTV articles:
 
 

Prognosis for Sjogren's Syndrome

Because the disease affect each person differently, doctors cannot predict how a person will be affected by Sjogren's syndrome.
 
Sjogren's syndrome can damage vital organs of the body with symptoms that may remain stable, worsen, or go into remission. Some people with Sjogren's syndrome may experience only the mild symptoms of dry eyes and mouth, while others go through cycles of good health followed by severe disease.
 
Many patients are able to treat problems symptomatically. Others are forced to cope with blurred vision, constant eye discomfort, recurring mouth infections, swollen parotid glands, hoarseness, and difficulty in swallowing and eating. In addition, debilitating fatigue and joint pain can seriously impair a person's quality of life.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD