Sjogren’s syndrome

Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms dry eyes and a dry mouth.

Sjogren’s syndrome often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. In Sjogren’s syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased production of tears and saliva.

Although you can develop Sjogren’s syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms.

Dry eyes. Your eyes may burn, itch or feel gritty as if there’s sand in them.

Dry mouth. Your mouth may feel like it’s full of cotton, making it difficult to swallow or speak.

Some people with Sjogren’s syndrome also experience one or more of the following:

Joint pain, swelling and stiffness

Swollen salivary glands particularly the set located behind your jaw and in front of your ears

Skin rashes or dry skin

Vaginal dryness

Persistent dry cough

Prolonged fatigue

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder. This means that your immune system mistakenly attacks your body’s own cells and tissues.

Scientists aren’t certain why some people develop Sjogren’s syndrome and others don’t. Certain genes put people at higher risk of the disorder, but it appears that a triggering mechanism — such as infection with a particular virus or strain of bacteria is also necessary.

In Sjogren’s syndrome, your immune system first targets the moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth. But it can also damage other parts of your body, such as your:

Joints

Thyroid

Kidneys

Liver

Lungs

Skin

Nerves

Although anyone can develop Sjogren’s syndrome, it typically occurs in people with one or more known risk factors. These include:

Age. Sjogren’s syndrome is usually diagnosed in people older than 40.

Sex. Women are much more likely to have Sjogren’s syndrome.

Rheumatic disease. It’s common for people who have Sjogren’s syndrome to also have a rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

The most common complications of Sjogren’s syndrome involve your eyes and mouth.

Dental cavities. Because saliva helps protect the teeth from the bacteria that cause cavities, you’re more prone to developing cavities if your mouth is dry.

Yeast infections. People with Sjogren’s syndrome are much more likely to develop oral thrush, a yeast infection in the mouth.

Vision problems. Dry eyes can lead to light sensitivity, blurred vision and corneal ulcers.

Less common complications may affect your:

Lungs, kidneys or liver. Inflammation may cause pneumonia, bronchitis or other problems in your lungs; may lead to problems with kidney function; and may cause hepatitis or cirrhosis in your liver.

Lymph nodes. A small percentage of people with Sjogren’s syndrome develop cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma).

Nerves. You may develop numbness, tingling and burning in your hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy).

Sjogren’s syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms vary from person to person and can be similar to those caused by other diseases. Side effects of a number of medications also mimic some signs and symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome.

A variety of tests can help rule out other conditions and help pinpoint a diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome.

Your doctor may order blood tests to check for:

Levels of different types of blood cells

Presence of antibodies common in Sjogren’s syndrome

Evidence of inflammatory conditions

Indications of problems with your liver and kidneys

Your doctor can measure the dryness of your eyes with a test called a Schirmer tear test. In this test, a small piece of filter paper is placed under your lower eyelid to measure your tear production.

A doctor specializing in the treatment of eye disorders (ophthalmologist) may also examine the surface of your eyes with a magnifying device called a slit lamp. He or she may place drops in your eye that make any damage to your cornea easier to see.

Certain imaging tests can check the function of your salivary glands.

Sialogram. A special X-ray called a sialogram can detect dye that’s injected into the salivary glands located in front of your ears. This procedure shows how much saliva flows into your mouth.

Salivary scintigraphy. This nuclear medicine test involves the intravenous injection of a radioactive isotope, which is tracked over the course of an hour to see how quickly it arrives in all your salivary glands.

Biopsy

Your doctor may also want to do a lip biopsy to detect the presence of clusters of inflammatory cells, which can indicate Sjogren’s syndrome. For this test, a small sliver of tissue is removed from salivary glands located in your lip and examined under a microscope.

Source : http://www.mayoclinic.org/