Sjogren's Syndrome
About the disease & condition
Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, primarily the salivary and lacrimal glands, leading to dryness of the eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and mouth (xerostomia). It can occur alone (primary) or alongside other autoimmune diseases (secondary), such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Known Symptoms
- Glandular manifestations: Dry eyes (gritty sensation, burning, photophobia).
Dry mouth (difficulty swallowing, dental caries, oral candidiasis). Parotid gland enlargement. Extraglandular - Systemic involvement: Fatigue, arthralgia/arthritis.
Skin (dryness, vasculitis), lung (interstitial lung disease), renal (tubular acidosis). Neurological (peripheral neuropathy), hematological (cytopenias). - Red flags: Lymphoma risk (especially mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue [MALT] lymphoma). Systemic symptoms like unexplained fever or weight loss.
Known Causes
- Etiology: Genetic predisposition (e.g., HLA-DR3, HLA-DQ2, IRF5, STAT4).
Environmental triggers (e.g., viral infections like Epstein-Barr virus). - Pathophysiology: Autoantibodies (anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB) target glandular tissues. Lymphocytic infiltration causes gland dysfunction, reduced tear and saliva production, and systemic inflammation.
Care
- Prevention: No known prevention; early diagnosis to mitigate complications.
Avoid medications that exacerbate dryness (e.g., antihistamines). - Follow-up: Regular monitoring for systemic symptoms and lymphoma. Multidisciplinary care (rheumatology, ophthalmology, dentistry).
Patient education on self-management and symptom recognition.
Note: Sjögren’s syndrome is often underdiagnosed due to nonspecific symptoms. A high index of suspicion is needed, especially in women with dry symptoms and systemic features. Treatment focuses on improving quality of life and preventing organ damage.
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