Sjogren syndrome

Overview

Sjogren (SHOW-grin) syndrome is an ongoing, called chronic, condition of the immune system. It is also known as Sjogren disease. The two most common symptoms are dry eyes and a dry mouth.

In autoimmune conditions, the body attacks its own tissues by mistake. Sjogren syndrome most often affects the glands that make moisture in the eyes and mouth. This causes fewer tears and less saliva. The condition may happen with other immune system conditions, most often rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Sjogren syndrome can happen at any age. But most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in people assigned female at birth. Treatment focuses on easing symptoms.

Symptoms

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Salivary glands

Salivary glands

There are three pairs of major salivary glands. These glands are the parotid, sublingual and submandibular glands. Each gland has its own tube, called a duct, leading from the gland to the mouth.

The two main symptoms of Sjogren syndrome are:

• Dry eyes. The eyes might burn or itch. They might feel as if they have sand in them.
• Dry mouth. The mouth might feel as if it's full of cotton. This may make it hard to swallow or speak.

Some people with Sjogren syndrome also have one or more of the following:

• Joint pain, swelling and stiffness.
• Swelling of the glands that make saliva. This mainly affects the glands and in front of the ears.
• Skin rashes or dry skin.
• Dry vagina.
• Dry cough.
• Tiredness.

Causes

Experts don't know what causes the immune system to attack the body in Sjogren syndrome. Certain genes put people at higher risk of the condition. But it seems that an infection with a certain virus or strain of bacteria may bring it on.

Risk factors

Sjogren syndrome most often happens in people with one or more known risk factors, including:

• Age. Sjogren syndrome is mainly diagnosed in people older than 40.
• Sex. People assigned female at birth are much more likely to have Sjogren syndrome.
• Rheumatic disease. It's common for people who have Sjogren syndrome also to have a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Complications

The most common complications of Sjogren syndrome involve the eyes and the mouth. These complications include:

• Dental cavities. Saliva helps protect the teeth from the germs that cause cavities. So a dry mouth is more likely to get cavities.
• Yeast infections. People with Sjogren syndrome are much more likely to get oral thrush, a yeast infection in the mouth.
• Vision issues. Dry eyes can lead to being sensitive to light and having blurred vision. Dry eyes also can damage the dome-shaped outer layer of the eye, called the cornea.

Less common complications might affect:

• Lungs, kidneys or liver. Swelling and irritation, called inflammation, can cause pneumonia, bronchitis or other issues in the lungs. Inflammation can keep the kidneys from working as they should and can cause the liver conditions hepatitis and cirrhosis.
• Lymph nodes. A small number of people with Sjogren syndrome get cancer of the lymph nodes. These are small, bean-shaped glands \that help fight infection. The cancer is called lymphoma.
• Nerves. Numbness, tingling and burning in the hands and feet might happen. This is called peripheral neuropathy.