The name was given to the condition in 1933 after a Swedish physician, Henrik Sjögren wrote about a group of women with chronic arthritis, accompanied by dry eyes and dry mouth. Although there have been isolated reports of dry eyes and mouth many years before, it is since that time that doctors worldwide have described patients with this combination of symptoms as having Sjögren’s.
The three main features are poor tear secretion, reduced salivary secretion and a connective tissue disorder. When the dry eyes and mouth occur in the absence of a connective tissue disorder, the term sicca syndrome is sometimes applied. Sjögren’s syndrome is usually seen in association with other diseases.
The cause of Sjögren’s is not known but both hereditary factors and viruses are thought to play a role. Sjögren's syndrome is an auto- immune disease in which the body's immune system reacts against itself, destroying the mucous-secreting glands as though they were foreign bodies. The glands are attacked by the white cells which are concerned with antibody production and regulation. The result is a reduction or absence of tear and saliva production.
Symptoms may involve many systems in the body, the commonest complaints being grittiness, irritation, redness, dryness of the eyes, or photo phobia (inability to stand light). Tear glands may become enlarged but the actual reduction in tear secretion is often not appreciated by the patient. There may also be complicating corneal erosions or infections.
Dryness of the mouth interferes with lubrication of food causing difficulty with mastication and swallowing. The lips and tongue become dry, smooth and sensitive and dental disease is accelerated. Reduced secretion of mucus in the lungs predisposes to irritation and infection throughout the upper and lower respiratory tract. Vaginal dryness can cause inflammation making intercourse painful.
Blood tests are helpful, especially when certain antibodies are present. Treatment is symptomatic and depends on the severity of the condition.
To download our leaflet on Sjögren’s Syndrome click here.
The British Sjögren’s Syndrome Association (BSSA) website is http://www.bssa.uk.net
Friday, 10 September 2010
The Cool Million!!
To celebrate the charity’s 30th Anniversary in 2012, the RSA is aiming to raise a total of one million pounds for research over the next two years. The money will be used to fund several projects into Raynaud's and scleroderma. People with these conditions will be given an opportunity to send in suggestions as to what they feel are the most important areas of research that they would like to see funded. These ideas will then be considered by the trustees and medical advisers. One of the aims is to generate enthusiasm amongst the medical profession throughout the UK, in order to help find better treatments and ultimately a cure. To find out more click here.