Review of Sjogren's Syndrome for Primary Physicians.
10.3904/kjm.2015.89.3.291
- Author:
Seung Ki KWOK
1
Author Information
1. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. seungki73@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Sjogren's syndrome;
Autoimmune diseases;
Extraglandular manifestations;
Lymphoma;
Pilocarpine
- MeSH:
Arthritis;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid;
Autoimmune Diseases;
Exocrine Glands;
Fatigue;
Humans;
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic;
Lymphatic Diseases;
Lymphoma;
Mouth;
Myalgia;
Myositis;
Nephritis, Interstitial;
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases;
Pilocarpine;
Quality of Life;
Scleroderma, Systemic;
Sjogren's Syndrome*;
Vasculitis
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2015;89(3):291-294
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands resulting in a dry mouth and eyes. The disease can present either alone or in association with other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and inflammatory myopathy. In addition to symptoms caused by exocrinopathy, about half of patients present with extraglandular (systemic) manifestations including arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, lymphadenopathy, vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy, and interstitial nephritis. Patients often suffer from severe fatigue, myalgia, and dryness, which lead to a poor quality of life. Physicians should be aware of the increased risk of lymphoma development in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Currently, there are no drugs available that are able to improve the natural course of disease, making symptom relief the primary goal of therapy. Currently, pilocarpine is the only drug clinically proven for the treatment of dry eyes and mouth in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.
