Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's Syndrome: Introduction

Sjogren's Syndrome: Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the glands that produce tears and saliva. Sjogren's ... more about Sjogren's Syndrome.

Sjogren's Syndrome: Autoimmune disease damaging the eye tear ducts and other glands. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Sjogren's Syndrome is available below.

Symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome

• Early symptoms:
  • One-sided swollen parotid salivary gland
  • Both parotid salivary glands swollen
  • Swollen cheeks
  • Swollen jaw
• more symptoms...»

See full list of 70 symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Sjogren's Syndrome:

• Vision & Eye Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Eye Tests
  • Home Vision Tests
• more tests...»

Sjogren's Syndrome: Complications

Review possible medical complications related to Sjogren's Syndrome:

• Eye complications (see Eye symptoms)
  • Dry eyes
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Cornea inflammation
• Mouth complications
• more complications...»

Medical Textbooks Online about Sjogren's Syndrome

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Sjogren's Syndrome

• Schirmer 1 test - a test of eyelid wetness
• Schirmer 2 test - a test of nasal wetness
• Eye stain dye tests
• Rose bengal
• Lissamine green
• more tests...»

See full list of 18 diagnostic tests for Sjogren's Syndrome

Wrongly Diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome?

• Misdiagnosis of Sjogren's Syndrome
• Failure to diagnose Sjogren's Syndrome
• Hidden causes of Sjogren's Syndrome (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
• Undiagnosed: Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's Syndrome: Self Assessment Tools

• Heart Attack -- Self Assessment Tools
• Exercise -- Self Assessment Tools
• more tools...»

Sjogren's Syndrome: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available for Sjogren's Syndrome:

• Vision & Eye Care
• more product offers...»

Sjogren's Syndrome: Undiagnosed Conditions

Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:

• Vision & Eye: serious diseases often undiagnosed:
  • Glaucoma -- Undiagnosed
  • Age-Related Macular Degeneration -- Undiagnosed
  • Cataract -- Undiagnosed
  • Diabetic Retinopathy -- Undiagnosed
  • more ...»
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Sjogren's Syndrome: Research Doctors & Specialists

Research related physicians and medical specialists:

• Eye Health Specialists (Ophthalmology):
  • Ophthalmology (Eye Specialist)
• more specialists...»

Other doctor, physician and specialist research services:

• Rate Your Doctor Online
• Research Your Doctor Online
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• Research local specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Causes of Sjogren's Syndrome

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Defecient tear production
• Abnormal tear composition
• Normal aging process
• more causes...»

See full list of 16 causes of Sjogren's Syndrome

More information about causes of Sjogren's Syndrome:

• Underlying causes of Sjogren's Syndrome
• Sjogren's Syndrome as a complication caused by other conditions
• Sjogren's Syndrome as a symptom
• Medical news summaries relating to Causes of Sjogren's Syndrome

Treatments for Sjogren's Syndrome

• Moisture replacement therapies
• Dry eye treatments
  • Artificial tears
  • Eye ointment
  • Propyl methylcellulose (Lacriserts)
• more treatments...»

See full list of 75 treatments for Sjogren's Syndrome

News Archives for Sjogren's Syndrome

Medical news articles related to Sjogren's Syndrome include:

• Drops of Fatty Acid Curb Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome
• Health Tip: Preventing Dry Eyes
• Cyclosporine Eye Drops a Good Deal for Dry Eye
• Health Tip: Keep Stitches Clean and Dry
• Staying Dry at Beach May Spare Your Stomach
• more health news...»

Source: HealthDay News

Evidence Based Medicine Research for Sjogren's Syndrome

Medical research articles related to Sjogren's Syndrome include:

• Ultrasonography of salivary glands in primary Sjogren`s syndrome: a comparison with contrast sialography and scintigraphy
• What is the significance of positive antinuclear antibody?
• HealthPartners Dental Group and Clinics caries guideline.
• Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of Measuring Antibodies to a-Fodrin Compared to Anti-Ro-52, Anti-Ro-60, and Anti-La in Primary Sjogren`s Syndrome
• Coeliac Disease
• more research...»

Click here to find more evidence-based articles on the TRIP Database

Videos for Sjogren's Syndrome

Patient Surveys for Sjogren's Syndrome

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about the symptoms of your Sjogren's Syndrome
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Prognosis for Sjogren's Syndrome

Prognosis for Sjogren's Syndrome: Not life threatening. Not life-shortening. Lifelong treatment.

More about prognosis of Sjogren's Syndrome

Reseach about Sjogren's Syndrome

Visit our research pages for current research about Sjogren's Syndrome treatments.

Clinical Trials for Sjogren's Syndrome

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Sjogren's Syndrome include:

• Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome With Cyclosporin A Eye Drops - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Study of Rebamipide Eye Drops to Treat Dry Eye - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Rebamipide
• Study of Rebamipide Eye Drops to Treat Dry Eye - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Rebamipide
• Safety and Efficacy Study of CF101 to Treat Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca - This study is not yet open for patient recruitment (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - CF101
• Safety and Efficacy of Pimecrolimus Ophthalmic Suspension in Patients With Moderate to Severe Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Pimecrolimus
• more trials...»

See full list of 28 Clinical Trials for Sjogren's Syndrome

Statistics for Sjogren's Syndrome

• Medical statistics for Sjogren's Syndrome
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Sjogren's Syndrome
• Death and Mortality statistics for Sjogren's Syndrome
• Society statistics for Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's Syndrome: Broader Related Topics

• Autoimmune diseases
• Rheumatic conditions
• Connective tissue disorders
• Eye conditions
• more types...»

Types of Sjogren's Syndrome

Types of Sjogren's Syndrome

• Primary Sjögren's syndrome
• Secondary Sjögren's syndrome - associated with another undering cause such as Rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
• more types...»

Read more about Types of Sjogren's Syndrome

Stories from Users Related to Sjogren's Syndrome

• bladder frequency, burning eyes, dry mouth, some diarrhea
• Dry eyes, lipid breakdown and tree branches
• Sjogrens Syndrome??/aps (antiphospholipid Syndrome)??/fibromyalgia??/endometriosis??
• dry eyes and tiredness - long medical history
• DRy Eyes
• Fatigue, Dry Skin, Eye-Rings (Dehydration?)
• hiv / std's from dry humping ?
• MS or Sjogrens
• Dry eyes, dry nose, dry skin, constant thirst - help?
• Dry Eyes/Stomach problems?
• Sjogrens Syndrome
• dry mucus every day through out the year
• HELPLESS, gumline problems, dry mouth, dry eyes.
• Red Spots on Tongue, Dry and Scratchy Eyes
• Please help? Sjogren's???
• Dry Nostril and traces of bood in mucus
• Dry irregular, white, erosions (circles)
• Sjogrens Syndrome & getting pregnant if you have Sjogrens Syndrome
• Extremely Dry Elbows & Knees
• Help! Non-itchy, dry, red bumps!

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Sjogren's Syndrome, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Sjogren's Syndrome

NINDS Sjogren's Syndrome Information Page: NINDS (Excerpt)

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the glands that produce tears and saliva. Sjogren's syndrome is also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Sjogren's Syndrome Information Page: NINDS)

Questions and Answers About Sjögren's Syndrome: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Sjögren'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 Sjögren'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. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Sjögren's Syndrome: NIAMS)

Connective Tissue Diseases: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Sjögren's syndrome (also called "Sjögren's disease") is a chronic, slowly progressing inability to secrete saliva and tears. It can occur alone or with rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Nine out of 10 cases occur in women, most often at or around mid­life. (Source: excerpt from Connective Tissue Diseases: NWHIC)

Aging and Your Eyes - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)

Dry eyes happen when tear glands don’t make enough tears or make poor quality tears. Dry tears can be uncomfortable, causing itching, burning, or even some loss of vision. Your eye doctor may suggest using a humidifier in the home or special eye drops ("artificial tears"). Surgery may be needed for more serious cases of dry eyes. (Source: excerpt from Aging and Your Eyes - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

Definitions of Sjogren's Syndrome:

WHAT: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS): an eye condition in which there is decreased tear production and inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva. WHY: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is found in a significant number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. KCS has also been described in systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodosa, and scleroderma. KCS plus xerostomia is called the sicca syndrome. The association of the sicca syndrome with rheumatoid arthritis is known as Sjogren's syndrome. HOW: Clinically, patients with KCS may present with itching, burning eyes. They may complain of a dry sensation or of a foreign body sensation of the eyes. The conjunctiva is hyperemic, and thick strands of mucus may cover the eye. With slit lamp examination there is less than 1 mm of tear width at the margins of the upper and lower lids. There is increased debris and mucus strands within the tear film, seen best after blinking. Tiny punctate opacities are seen throughout the corneal surface. The Schirmer tear test (which is most accurately performed without topical anesthesia) shows less than 5 mm of wetting of filter paper at the end of 5 minutes. Finally, rose bengal, which is a water soluble dye specific for devitalized cells and mucin, will stain the dessicated corneal and conjunctival cells a bright red color. REFS: 1) Henkind, P and Gold, DH: Ocular manifestations of rheumatic disorders. Rheumatology 4:13, 1973. 2) Havener, W: Synopsis of ophthamology. St. Louis, C.V. Mosby Company, 1979. 3) Anderson, JR; Whaley, K; Williams, J and Buchanan, WW: A statistical aid to the diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Quart J Med 41:175, 1972. DN19292-9. - (Source - Diseases Database)

Sjogren's Syndrome is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Sjogren's Syndrome, or a subtype of Sjogren's Syndrome, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Sjogren's Syndrome as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet