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Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD

Catherine Burt Driver, MD, is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Driver is a member of the American College of Rheumatology. She currently is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in Mission Viejo, Calif., where she is a partner in Mission Internal Medical Group.

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In this Article

• Sjögren's syndrome facts
• What is Sjögren's syndrome?
• What causes Sjögren's syndrome?
• What are Sjögren's syndrome symptoms and signs?
• How is Sjögren's syndrome diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for Sjögren's syndrome? Will dietary changes improve Sjögren's syndrome symptoms and signs?
• Can Sjögren's syndrome be prevented?
• What is the prognosis for patients with Sjögren's syndrome?
• Conclusion
• Patient Comments: Sjogren&39;s Syndrome - Describe Your Experience
• Patient Comments: Sjogren's Syndrome - Treatment and Diet
• Patient Comments: Sjogren's Syndrome - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Sjogren&39;s Syndrome - Prognosis
• Find a local Rheumatologist in your town
• Sjogren's Syndrome Index

Because Sjögren's syndrome is felt to be inherited, there is no particular way to prevent developing the disease. However, preventing complications of Sjögren's syndrome, such as infection, eye irritation, etc., can be achieved using the methods described above.

With proper attention to eye and oral care the outlook for patients with Sjögren's syndrome is generally excellent. Eye dryness can lead to serious injury to the eye, particularly the cornea, and this should be avoided by consultation with an eye specialist. Mouth dryness can lead to dental decay and parotid gland infection and parotid stones. Optimal oral hygiene is essential.

The serious complications of primary biliary cirrhosis and lymphoma can dramatically affect prognosis and are monitored for in routine regular office visits.

Sjögren's syndrome is an area of active immunology research. Many new treatments will be available in the near future. Recent research has suggested that rituximab (Rituxan) may be beneficial for many features of Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome is named after a Swedish ophthalmologist, Henrik Sjögren. In the early 1900s, Sjögren called the syndrome "keratoconjunctivitis sicca." The name sicca syndrome is technically now used only to describe the combination of dryness of the mouth and eyes, regardless of cause. The term sicca refers to the dryness of the eyes (and mouth).

Previous contributing editor: Dennis Lee, MD

REFERENCES:

Koopman, William, et al., eds. Clinical Primer of Rheumatology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.

Ruddy, Shaun, et al., eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 6th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co., 2001.

Additional resources from WebMD Boots UK on Sjogrens Syndrome