Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocyte infiltration of exocrine glands, which manifests as dry eyes and mouth. The syndrome is estimated to be between 9 and 20 times more common in women than in men and typically presents in the 4th or 5th decade of life.
Animal models suggest that early markers of Sjögren syndrome (EMS)—antibodies against salivary protein 1, parotid secretory protein, and carbonic anhydrase 6 (CA6)—are more accurate signals of early Sjögren when compared with classic markers (anti-Ro and anti-La).
Clinical Significance
Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease in which loss of salivary gland and lachrymal gland function is associated with hypergammaglobulinemia, autoantibody production, mild kidney and lung disease and eventually lymphoma.
Typical dilutions are 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320 and 1:640. Positive ANA test results of 1:80 and 1:160 may be seen in up to 15% and 5% of healthy individuals, respectively.
Optimal Result: 0 - 1 AI.
To make a Sjögren's syndrome diagnosis, doctors must see specific antibodies (blood proteins) in your blood. They also need to see a pattern of inflammation, found most often on the salivary glands of your lips, which is characteristic of Sjögren's syndrome.
Ultrasound imaging and biopsy can help determine if the salivary gland tissues are altered by inflammation. Blood tests can identify antibodies that are typically present in people with Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune disorders.
Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that happens when the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body.
A positive result for SSA (Ro) or SSB (La) antibodies is consistent with connective tissue disease, including Sjogren syndrome, lupus erythematosus (LE), or rheumatoid arthritis.
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. About half of patients also have rheumatoid arthritis or other connective tissue diseases, such as lupus.
Harmless coloured drops are put in your eyes to make the layer of tears easier to see for a short time. A special microscope with a light is then used to look at your eyes. If the layer of tears is very patchy, it could be a sign of Sjögren's syndrome.
Sjögren's syndrome can be associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. This is known as secondary Sjögren's syndrome.
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects about 0.33–0.77% population in China. The positive for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) is one of the key features of SS, which shows a nuclear fine speckled (AC-4) pattern in an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IIFT).
Although the hallmark symptoms are dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue and joint pain, Sjögren's is a systemic disease and affects the entire body. Fatigue is often described as one of the most debilitating symptoms of Sjögren's.
Constipation and diarrhea can occur with Sjögren's. Increase vegetables. Try magnesium supplement for constipation. The pancreas, which releases digestive enzymes, can have low-level inflammation (20-40%) in Sjögren's.
The lymphoaggressive nature of the disease appears to lead SS patients from stage I to II and from stage II to III. However, stage III patients made up only 5% of SS patients. Many patients remain stable in stages I or II for as long as 10 or 20 years.
The neurological complications of Sjögren's syndrome are extensive and range from cognitive difficulties, to burning toes and feet.
In the early stages of SS, the mouth may appear moist, but as the disease progresses, the usual pooling of saliva in the floor of the mouth becomes absent and lines of contact between frothy saliva and the oral soft tissue are seen.
Avoiding foods that tend to exacerbate symptoms including alcohol, caffeine, acidic foods, and spicy foods.
Due to decreased tear production, your eyes may feel extremely dry. They may also itch or burn, leading to excessive blinking. It may feel like grains of sand are lodged in your eyes. Or they may be red or watery, and you may have blurred vision or be sensitive to bright or fluorescent lights.
The clinical presentation of Sjögren syndrome may vary. Most patients are women, and onset is usually at age 40-60 years, but the syndrome also can affect men and children.
Because of chronic dryness, patients may be at risk for eye infections or cornea damage, tooth decay or gum disease, and vaginal yeast infections. Diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome includes a physical exam, blood tests and sometimes a biopsy. An eye exam by the ophthamologist may be necessary to evaluate dry eyes.
Of all serological items included in the criteria sets, anti-La/SSB with anti-Ro/SSA antibodies appear to have the highest diagnostic specificity for SS.