Conditions
Sjögren's disease (Sjögren's syndrome)
A long-term autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the glands that keep the eyes and mouth moist.
About Sjögren's disease
Sjögren's disease, also called Sjögren's syndrome, is a long-term autoimmune condition. The immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes and mouth, so the eyes and mouth can feel very dry. Many people also have aching muscles and joints and feel very tired, and some have problems in other parts of the body.
A rheumatologist, a specialist in autoimmune diseases, usually makes the diagnosis, often with help from an eye doctor and a dentist. Tests can include blood tests for antibodies such as anti-SSA (also called anti-Ro), eye tests that measure tears and check the surface of the eye, a test of how much saliva your mouth makes, and sometimes a small biopsy of a salivary gland inside the lip.
Doctors may also look at published classification criteria, which were written to group patients for research studies. A diagnosis is a clinician's judgment. Before a visit, it can help to record how often your eyes and mouth feel dry, when it started, and copies of past test results.
Who usually evaluates it: Usually a rheumatologist, a specialist in autoimmune diseases, often with help from an eye doctor and a dentist.
What you can record in Selihc Health
- Dry eyes or a dry mouth, how often they happen and when they started
- A sandy or gritty feeling in the eyes
- How often you use eye drops for dryness, or need a drink to swallow dry food
- Past results, such as anti-SSA (anti-Ro) blood tests, tear tests, saliva tests and lip biopsy reports
What only a clinician can do
- An eye exam with special dyes, and tear tests
- Measuring how much saliva your mouth makes
- A lip biopsy, and reading it
- Checking for other causes of dryness
In an emergency
Call 911 right away for chest pain, pressure or tightness; trouble breathing, or coughing up blood; sudden weakness or numbness in the face, an arm or a leg; sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or a sudden, very bad headache; sudden trouble seeing, walking or keeping your balance; a seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, a first seizure, or trouble breathing or waking up after a seizure; or fainting with no waking up within a minute. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, call or text 988 any time. If you are in danger now, call 911. This list does not cover every emergency. If something feels seriously wrong, call 911.
Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away for any sudden change in your sight, like wavy lines, flashes of light or loss of vision; eyes that hurt when you look at light; a red eye with a very bad headache and feeling sick to your stomach; or an eye that is very dark red, an eye injury, or something stuck in your eye. Get care the same day (call your clinician or go to urgent care) for an eye that is painful and red, or a red eye if you wear contact lenses. Contact your clinician soon if your mouth is painful, red, swollen or bleeding, there are sore white patches in your mouth, or dryness makes it hard to eat regular meals.
The published criteria
Your summary organizes your records against these sources, for your clinician to review. What clinicians see
Sjögren's disease: 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for primary Sjögren's syndrome
Shiboski CH, Shiboski SC, Seror R, et al. 2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for primary Sjögren's syndrome: a consensus and data-driven methodology involving three international patient cohorts. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2017;69(1):35-45. doi:10.1002/art.39859
Draft, awaiting clinical reviewVersion 1Read the source(opens in a new tab)
This page is general information written for patients, not medical advice. Content is a draft awaiting clinical review.
Start organizing your evidence today.
Free for patients.