Sjögren's

Sjögren's is a chronic, autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the glands that produce moisture in the eyes, lips, and other areas of the body, resulting in dry eyes and mouth.

Dry eyes, mouth and nose

Swollen salivary glands

Fatigue

Joint pain

Dry throat and frequent coughing

Dry skin or skin rashes

Learn more about the two main types of Sjögren's: 

  • Primary Sjögren's: Occurs on its own, without the presence of an underlying rheumatic disease such as lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Secondary Sjögren's: Occurs with another rheumatic disease such as lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The signs and symptoms of Sjögren's might differ from person to person and resemble those of other conditions, making a diagnosis difficult. The following tests can be used to confirm Sjögren's and rule out other conditions:

  • Blood Tests: Evaluates the presence of specific antibodies that are common in Sjögren's.
  • Eye Tests: The Schirmer test is a common test that measures eye dryness and tear production. The ocular surface staining test checks for damage and dryness on the surfaces of eyes.
  • Imaging: Sialogram and salivary scintigraphy are tests that check the function of salivary glands and how much saliva is produced.
  • Lip Biopsy: Detects the presence of inflammation and inflammatory cells in the salivary glands.

Treatment for Sjögren's is dependent on the affected body parts, but most commonly targets dry eye and dry mouth.

Medications

Medications used for managing Sjögren's include:

  • Artificial Tears and Prescription Eye Drops: Alleviates dryness and inflammation in the eyes.
  • Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Manages pain related to arthritis and reduces inflammation.
  • Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs): Hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate are types of DMARDs that target systemic symptoms.
  • Saliva Stimulants: Enhances saliva production to improve dry mouth.

Ongoing Research

Sjögren’s is a disease that requires more effective treatment options. To find these new treatments for Sjögren’s, further research is necessary.

Current Research Studies

Discover our featured study below for Sjögren’s. If this study is not right for you, there are over 80 clinical trials actively recruiting participants with Sjögren’s. Visit ClinicalTrials.gov to find Sjögren’s research studies near you.

Featured Study

Sjögren’s Clinical Study

If you have Sjögren’s, you may be eligible to participate in a clinical study looking to help relieve symptoms related to Sjögren’s and evaluate changes in your quality of life.

Learn More

Resources

Find an online community of fellow patients, caregivers, and advocates below
as well as some other general resources!

Living with Sjögren's Syndrome
A group that offers a supportive space for people with Sjögren's to ask questions and share their experiences.
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Sjögren's Syndrome Awareness
A support group for people with Sjögren's, as well as their family members and friends who want to support them.
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Reddit Group: r/ Sjögrens
A Reddit community for science and evidence-based discussions related to Sjögren's.
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Sjögren's Support Group
A support group for those with Sjögren's and other autoimmune diseases.
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Sjögren’s Foundation
Sjögren’s Foundation is an organization whose vision is to build a community of patients, healthcare professionals, and researchers to address the condition's complexities.
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International Sjögren's Network
The International Sjögren's Network is a group of organizations in various countries that work to raise awareness and provide services to people living with Sjögren's.
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Sjögren’s Advocate – Blog
Read the various blog posts on the Sjögren’s Advocate website to learn about different topics related to Sjögren’s.
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Sjögren’s Foundation – Blog
Read the blog posts on the Sjögren's Foundation website to learn more about Sjögren's.
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Medical Criteria Needed to Qualify with Sjögren's Syndrome
‍Visit this website for more information on qualifying for disability benefits for individuals with Sjögren's.
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Sjögren’s Foundation – Survival Tips
‍Check out the website for tips on how to manage and live with Sjögren's.
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Study Identifies Risk Factors for ILD Among Primary Sjögren’s Patients
Learn more about a study that identifies risk factors for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in people with Sjögren's.
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Late-Breaking Results Show Nipocalimab Significantly Improves Sjögren’s Disease Activity in a Phase 2 Study
Read this article to learn more about how Nipocalimab has significantly improved disease activity in Sjögren's.
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