Sjogren syndrome
Definition
Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the glands that produce tears and saliva are destroyed. This causes dry mouth and dry eyes. The condition may affect other parts of the body, including the kidneys and lungs.
Alternative Names
Xerostomia - Sjögren syndrome; Keratoconjunctivitis sicca - Sjögren; Sicca syndrome; Sjögren syndrome; Sjögren's syndrome
Causes
The cause of Sjögren syndrome is unknown. It is an autoimmune disorder. This means the body attacks healthy tissue by mistake. The syndrome occurs most often in women ages 40 to 50. It is rare in children.
Primary Sjögren syndrome is defined as dry eyes and dry mouth without another autoimmune disorder.
Secondary Sjögren syndrome occurs along with another autoimmune disorder, such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Scleroderma
- Polymyositis
- Hepatitis C (can affect the salivary glands and look like Sjögren syndrome)
- IgG4 disease (can look like Sjögren syndrome)
Symptoms
Dry eyes and dry mouth are the most common symptoms of this syndrome.
Eye symptoms:
- Itching eyes
- Burning sensation in eyes
- Feeling that something is in the eye
Mouth and throat symptoms:
- Difficulty swallowing or eating dry foods
- Loss of sense of taste
- Problems speaking
- Thick or stringy saliva
- Mouth sores or pain
- Teeth decay and gum inflammation
- Hoarseness
Other symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Change in the color of hands or feet with cold exposure (Raynaud phenomenon)
- Joint pain or joint swelling
- Swollen glands
- Skin rash
- Numbness and pain due to neuropathy
- Cough and shortness of breath due to lung disease
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nausea and heartburn
- Vaginal dryness or painful urination
Exams and Tests
A complete physical exam will be done. The exam reveals dry eyes and dry mouth. There may be mouth sores, decayed teeth or gum inflammation. This occurs because of the mouth dryness. Your health care provider will look in your mouth for fungus infection (candida). Skin may show a rash, the lung exam may be abnormal, the abdomen will be palpated for liver enlargement. The joints will be examined for arthritis. The neurologic exam will look for deficits due to nerve damage.
You may have the following tests done:
- Complete blood chemistry with liver enzymes
- Complete blood count with differential
- Urinalysis
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test
- Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies
- Rheumatoid factor
- Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody
- Test for cryoglobulins
- Complement levels
- Protein electrophoresis (serum or urine)
- Test for hepatitis C and HIV (if at risk)
- Thyroid tests
- Schirmer test of tear production
- Imaging of the salivary gland: by ultrasound or by MRI
- Salivary gland biopsy
- Skin biopsy if a rash is present
- Examination of the eyes by an ophthalmologist
- Chest x-ray
Treatment
The goal is to relieve symptoms.
- Dry eyes may be treated with artificial tears, eye-lubricating ointments, or cyclosporine liquid.
- If Candida is present, it may be treated with sugar-free miconazole or nystatin preparations.
- Tiny plugs can be placed in the tear drainage ducts to help the tears stay on the surface of the eye.
Oral medicines such as pilocarpine or cevimeline that cause increased saliva production can be useful in dryness when local therapy is not helping.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) similar to those used for RA may improve the symptoms of Sjögren syndrome. These include Rituximab and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibiting drugs such as etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira) or infliximab (Remicade).
Some things you can do to ease symptoms include:
- Sip water throughout the day
- Chew sugarless gum
- Avoid medicines that can cause mouth dryness, such as antihistamines and decongestants
- Avoid alcohol
Talk with your dentist about:
- Mouth rinses to replace minerals in your teeth
- Saliva substitutes
- Medicines that help your salivary glands make more saliva
To prevent dental decay caused by mouth dryness:
- Brush and floss your teeth often
- Visit the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings
Outlook (Prognosis)
The disease is most often not life threatening. The outcome depends on what other diseases you have.
There is a higher risk for lymphoma and early death when Sjögren syndrome has been very active for a long time, as well as in people with vasculitis, low complements, and cryoglobulins.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
- Damage to the eye
- Dental cavities
- Kidney failure (rare)
- Lymphoma
- Pulmonary disease
- Vasculitis (rare)
- Neuropathy
- Bladder inflammation
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of Sjögren syndrome.
References
Pang R, Ma X, Guo H, Qi X. Meta-analysis of mortality-associated factors in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients with interstitial lung disease. Clin Rheumatol. 2025;44(1):23-31. PMID: 39432139 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39432139/.
St. Clair EW. Sjögren syndrome. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 247.
St. Clair EW, Leverenz DL. Sjögren syndrome. In: Firestein GS, McInnes IB, Koretzky GA, Mikuls TR, Neogi T, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 74.
Turner MD. Oral manifestations of systemic diseases. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 12.
Reviewed By: Diane M. Horowitz, MD, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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