Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is chronic and slowly progressing. It manifests itself as a diffuse, chronic inflammation with the destruction of exocrine glands (salivary, lacrimal, or exocrine glands of the pancreas). We divide it into primary - separate disease and secondary - in another disease of an autoimmune nature (RA, SLE, MCTD - mixed connective tissue disease, systemic vasculitis).

Etiology
The etiology is idiopathic, there is a possible relation of viruses (EBV, CMV), association in the HLA system.

Salivary glands
Swelling of the salivary glands, xerostomia (dry mouth) and dysphagia.

Eye affection
Due to insufficient tear production, a picture of dry keratoconjunctivitis (burning, foreign body sensation in the eye, photophobia), xerophthalmia is formed.

Other exocrine glands affection

 * Decreased sweat production, dry skin, pruritus, loss of adnexa, xerodermia;
 * achlorhydria gastritis, pancreatitis, hepatopathy;
 * vaginal and vulvar epitosclerosis, tendency to candida infections;
 * chronic bronchitis, irritating cough, interstitial pneumonia;
 * vasculitis (petechiae), Raynaud's phenomenon;
 * non-erosive, non-deforming arthritis.

Diagnosis
Elevated levels of FW, CRP, γ-globulins, ENA autoantibodies type SS / A and SS / B, rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies. Diagnosis is determined if 4 criteria are present (if 3, dg. Is also possible):


 * 1) dry keratoconjunctivitis (demonstrated by Schirmer's test);
 * 2) xerostomia;
 * 3) biopsy of lymphocyte infiltrates in salivary glands; It is necessary to monitor - possible transition to lymphoproliferative disease (lymphoma). Monitoring of beta2-microglobulin levels serologically.
 * 4) detection of serum autoantibodies (rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibodies, ENA antibodies).

Therapy
Mostly symptomatic:
 * Substitution therapy: eye drops, lubricating gels, moisturizing lotions, chewing gum. The secondary requires proper treatment of the underlying disease:
 * Antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine)
 * Glucocorticoids + combinations with other immunosuppressive drugs (methotrexate, prednisone + cyclophosphamide).
 * Careful dental care is important.

Prognosis
Patients with Sjögren's syndrome are limited in several respects. In the secondary form, the risk of malignancies increases. The most common malignancies are lymphoid malignancies - in about 5% the most common are MALTomas and B-cell lymphomas of the salivary gland. Despite this, the average age of patients with sicca syndrome is the same as in the normal population.

Related Articles

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 * Pulmonary manifestations in systemic connective tissue diseases