Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjogren’s Syndrome – General Information

Sjogren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the unusual excessive production of antibodies in the patient’s blood, which after a while may attack certain tissues of the patient’s body. Usually, when the disease affects certain tissues or glands of the body the first sign is the inflammation of these parts. The inflammation leads to an abnormal production from the affected glands (for example tears when it affects the lachrymal glands causing a decreased water production for tears and eye dryness). There are cases in which the Sjogren’s Syndrome can affect the salivary glands located in the patient’s mouth causing dry mouth and dry lips. In some cases this kind of medical disorder can be associated with a certain type of connective tissues condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma.

The cause of this kind of medical condition is still unknown but some researchers think that it may be inherited. There are cases in which the disease is present in other members of the patient’s family, especially if the other ones are also suffering from a certain type of autoimmune disease such as diabetes, thyroid disease or systemic lupus erythematosus. Sjogren’s Syndrome usually affects female patients more than male patients. The signs and symptoms of this medical condition may vary from one case to another and can sometimes change after a period of time. There are cases in which the disease can affect other parts of the patient’s body such as the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.

Sjogren’s Syndrome – Symptoms

In most cases, the signs and symptoms caused by the Sjogren’s Syndrome develop depending on the tissue that is affected, but there are cases in which the disease may produce extra-glandular manifestations, which involve other parts and organs of the patient’s body. When the disease affects the lachrymal glands, these become inflamed causing decreased tear production that may lead to eye irritation, eye dryness, certain infections and severe abrasion of the cornea. Due to the fact that tears clear the eye of bacteria, dry eyes can lead to infections of the eyes. When the condition affects the patient’s salivary glands, they also become inflamed causing mouth dryness, swallowing difficulties, dental decay, mouth sores and swellings, gum affections, and infections of the parotid gland located inside the patient’s cheek.

Usually, in addition to mouth dryness the patient can also have dry lips. In rarer cases, the Sjogren’s Syndrome can also affect other glands of the body such as those located in the lining of the airways, causing lung infection, or those in the lining of the vagina, causing pain during intercourse or certain vaginal infections. The most common extra-glandular manifestation caused by this kind of autoimmune disorder can be experienced as joint pain or inflammation, lung infection, lymph node enlargement, kidney disease, Raynaud’s Phenomenon, and nerve or muscle disease. In rarer cases, Sjogren’s Syndrome can cause severe manifestations such as inflammation of the patient’s blood vessels, leading to damage of the tissues that these vessels supply. If it reaches severe stages, the syndrome can cause severe complications that threaten the patient’s life.

Sjogren’s Syndrome – Treatment

Usually, the diagnosis of the Sjogren’s Syndrome consists in examining the features of the patient signs and symptoms. The eye dryness can be detected by testing the patient’s eye ability to wet a small piece of paper inserted under the eyelid. The most common testing papers are also known as Schirmer test strips. There are cases in which the doctor can apply a more advanced eye test, which must be performed by a specialized doctor, called an ophthalmologist. When the syndrome affects the patient’s salivary glands, these are most commonly enlarged and hard or, in rarer cases, tender. To exactly diagnose the condition, the inflammation of the salivary gland is detected using a radiological nuclear medicine scan.

There are cases in which the doctor can measure the patient’s salivary flow, to determine the salivary glands’ ability to produce saliva. For a more precise diagnosis, doctors can perform a biopsy of the tissue or glands that have been affected by the Sjogren’s Syndrome. In most cases, the glands located in the patient’s lower lip are used to obtain a biopsy sample. Lower lip gland biopsy is easily performed by applying local anesthesia and then making a small incision on the inner part of the lip and removing a part of the salivary gland. In most cases, when a patient suffers from Sjogren’s Syndrome, he or she presents an excessive production of antibodies, which become directed to certain parts of the patient’s body. The amount of antibodies in the blood is detected through certain blood tests. Some patients may also present a decreased number of red blood cells.

Treatment for this medical condition aims to both reduce the severity of the symptoms as well as preventing any possible complications that may appear. It is very important to know that the Sjogren’s Syndrome can not be cured, and the available treatment only improves the patient’s general health status. If the patient’s lachrymal glands are affected, the first treatment option is the use of artificial tears or eye lubricating ointments. To treat the signs and symptoms that are caused when this syndrome affects the salivary glands, the patient should drink plenty of fluids and practice proper dental care to prevent dental decay. There are also certain prescription medicines that may be applied to relieve the symptoms in such cases of Sjogren’s Syndrome, which act as saliva stimulants; among these, Salagen (or Piocarpine) and Evoxac (or Cevimeline) are commonly used products. It is very important not to take these medicines if the patient is suffering from heart disorders, asthma or glaucoma. Dry mouth can be relieved taking certain artificial saliva preparations such as Biotene. The disease can cause complications such as vasculitis. For more information regarding specific details of the treatment, ask a specialized health care professional. If you need any further information regarding the most effective therapy options against this clinical illness, please do not hesitate to refer to your personal health care provider as soon as possible.