Managing Sjögren Syndrome

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder primarily affecting women ages 40 to 60.^1-8 It affects approximately 0.5% to 1% of the United States population, equating to about 3.1 million individuals^.1,2-5,9 The likelihood of diagnosis increases with age.¹⁰

SS has two classifications: primary and secondary. This article will discuss primary SS, which results from lymphocytic infiltration of the oral salivary and lacrimal glands. Secondary SS occurs in the presence of other systemic conditions and among geriatric populations and patients undergoing head and neck radiation therapy.^5,6,9,13

The production and consistency of saliva are crucial for maintaining good oral health. Patients with SS experience hypofunction or dysfunction of the salivary glands, leading to dry mouth (Figure 1) and are at increased risk for decay, candidiasis, periodontal diseases, burning mouth, and complications in speech and swallowing.^4,5,6,11,13

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* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.