In the early 20th century, Swedish physician Henrik Sjögren (SHOW-gren) first described a group of women whose chronic arthritis was accompanied by dry eyes and dry mouth.  Sjögren's syndrome (SS) can develop on its own (called “primary SS”) or as a complication of another autoimmune disorder (called “secondary SS”), most often lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.  Symptoms vary in type and intensity, and serious complications are rare.

Sjögren's syndrome is an inflammatory disease with unknown cause 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. Some patients experience dryness of other mucous membranes (such as the nasal passages, throat, and vagina) and skin.

Most of the complications of Sjögren's 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 occur rarely in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Pain and stiffness in the joints with mild swelling may occur in some patients, even in those without RA 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. Neurological complications that cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness have also been described in some patients.

Who develops Sjögren's Syndrome?

According to the American College of Rheumatology, between 400,000 and 3.1 million adults have Sjögren's Syndrome. This condition can affect people of any age, but symptoms usually appear between the ages of 45 and 55. It affects 10 times as many women as men. About half of affected patients also have rheumatoid arthritis or other connective tissue diseases, such as lupus, scleroderma, or polymyositis.

Approximately 1.3 million adults (or 0.6 percent of the U.S. adult population) have rheumatoid arthritis, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS).  Doctors at Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center share that approximately 10-15% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, mostly women, develop Sjögren's syndrome.  In contrast Dr. Steven Mandel, Clinical Professor of Neurology at Jefferson Medical College, says that 25% of patients with RA also have Sjögren's.  With 10-25% of the RA population developing Sjögren’s Syndrome, we as patients should be aware of this risk.