What is Sjögren's disease?

Sjögren's disease is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the exocrine glands, specifically the glands responsible for producing tears and saliva.

This results in symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth, which are the most characteristic symptoms. However, the disease can also affect other parts of the body, such as the joints, skin, lungs, kidneys, and nerves. This can also cause joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, swelling of the salivary glands, dry skin, and nosebleeds.

In Sjögren's, the immune system mistakenly attacks the glands and other parts of the body. The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The disease often occurs in combination with other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus (SLE).

There is no cure for Sjögren's, but symptoms can be managed with artificial tears for dry eyes, saliva substitutes and good oral hygiene for dry mouth, and immunosuppressants or anti-inflammatory medications for systemic symptoms.

Sjögren's is more common in women, usually after the age of 40, and has a variable course, with some people experiencing only mild symptoms, while others may develop more serious complications.

Source: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMcp1702514

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-09-29 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025