Sjögren Syndrome

Sjögren Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune condition that primarily affects the body's moisture-producing glands. It mainly targets the salivary glands and lacrimal glands, leading to symptoms like dry mouth and dry eyes. This dryness can cause difficulty swallowing, speaking, and increased dental problems due to lack of saliva. The condition can also affect other parts of the body, including joints, kidneys, and nerves, causing a variety of symptoms. It is more common in women and often occurs alongside other autoimmune diseases. The main health impact is the discomfort and complications from dryness and systemic inflammation.

Sjögren Syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and destruction of exocrine glands, especially the salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca. It is caused by an aberrant immune response involving autoantibodies such as anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB, leading to chronic inflammation and glandular dysfunction. The disease can present as primary or secondary, the latter associated with other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. Beyond glandular involvement, systemic manifestations include arthritis, interstitial lung disease, and increased risk of B-cell lymphoma. Diagnosis relies on clinical features, serologic markers, and histopathology. The condition significantly impacts quality of life due to persistent dryness and systemic complications.