Sjögren’s syndrome is an inflammatory disease that can affect many different parts of the body, but most often affects the tear and saliva glands. Patients with this condition may notice irritation, a gritty feeling, or painful burning in the eyes. Dry mouth (or difficulty eating dry foods) and swelling of the glands around the face and neck are also common. Some patients experience dryness in the nasal passages, throat, vagina, and skin. Swallowing difficulty and symptoms of acid reflux are also common.
“Primary” Sjögren’s syndrome occurs in people with no other rheumatologic disease. “Secondary” Sjögren’s occurs in people who have another rheumatologic disease, most often systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Most of the complications of Sjögren’s syndrome occur because of decreased tears and saliva. Patients with dry eyes are at increased risk for infections around the eye and may have damage to the cornea. Dry mouth may cause an increase in dental decay, gingivitis (gum inflammation), and oral yeast infections (thrush) that may cause pain and burning. Some patients have episodes of painful swelling in the saliva glands around the face.
Complications in other parts of the body can occur. Pain and stiffness in the joints with mild swelling may occur in some patients, even in those without rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Rashes on the arms and legs related to inflammation in small blood vessels (vasculitis) and inflammation in the lungs, liver, and kidney may occur rarely and be difficult to diagnose. Numbness, tingling, and weakness also have been described in some patients.
Source: Excerpted from “Sjögren’s Syndrome,” by Christopher Wise, MD.
To download the complete fact sheet, visit www.rheumatology.org and click on “Patient Resources” under “Popular Content.”
Carol M. says
November 18, 2015 at 3:32 amThank you for this well-written article. There are a group of SS patients that research the cause and possible cure for this horrible disease. Urgently we need researchers to start looking at the role of the Mu3 receptors and their related auto-antibodies. If we can interfere between these two with a novel intervention, we could find some relief.
It is also thought among us that SS is a neurological illness that first presents itself with dryness and then inevitably expresses with PN, cerebral and spinal cord lesions that lead to pain and weakness, .
Many of us are gluten and dairy intolerant.
I hope that by my commenting here researchers at your facilities will begin to look at SS in a new way, and urgently start looking at the role of the Mu3 receptors in MM.
Violet says
November 18, 2015 at 11:57 amI have active inflammatory arthritis also shogrens syndrome and the three chambers in my knee are infected also fluid that won’t drain I would like to know is there any connection as I’ve been housebound for 10 months now and can’t walk
Linda ehlers says
May 14, 2016 at 12:19 amI have ss and can not get get any relief from the dr that I have seen. My teeth are breaking, my eyes are getting worse and have a problem with bowel movements, what do you recommend, I really need help.
Keri Losavio says
May 17, 2016 at 12:52 pmI’m sorry but we cannot offer medical advice. If you need to find a rheumatologist in your area, you can search for one on the ACR’s website.
T says
May 11, 2017 at 12:28 pmLacrisert for your eyes. Helped me BIG time. It looks like a small piece of angelhair spaghetti and you place under the lower lid. Can’t feel a thing and works all day. Not a drop. As far as teeth..I have same issues, but get them cleaned every 3 months, use Biotein mooth rinse and moisture and drink LOTS of water. don’t eat sugars and stay away from coffee and acids. Ask dentist for floride paste at night and ACT rinse in morning after breakfast, both items after ou do reg brushing. Hope this helps. I’m not a doctor and everything I’ve listed is prescription, so see your eye doctor and dentist.