SJOGREN'S SYNDROME

SUMMARY

1. Sjogren syndrome is caused by a CD4+ T-cell lymphocytic infiltrate that destroys the exocrine glands (lacrimal and salivary glands), resulting in decreased secretions from these glands.

2. Primary disease: not assoc. with rheumatologic disease. present(s) with sicca complex (dry eyes & mouth with parotitis).

3. Secondary disease: assoc. with RA, SLE, polymyositis, and systemic sclerosis.

4. Assess history for xerostomia (dry mouth) and xerophthalmia (dry eyes); check for autoantibodies; and biopsy of minor salivary glands to confirm Dx.

5. Complications: > 40-fold increased risk of B-cell lymphoma, dental caries, xerostomia , xerophthalmia.

6. Symptomatic management.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].