Abstract
Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is a systemic chronic autoimmune disorder affecting exocrine organs such as the salivary and lacrimal glands. SS is characterized by severe dryness of the mouth and eyes due to inflammatory reactions against salivary and lacrimal glands, respectively. Dryness of other mucosal surfaces such as skin, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and vagina, has also been observed. SS patients also exhibit systemic symptoms such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, arthritis, fatigue, peripheral neuropathies, and cognitive impairment. SS exists in two forms: primary SS, unassociated with other autoimmune disesases; and secondary SS, accompanied by another autoimmune disease such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (Fox and Kang 1992). SS is the second most common autoimmune rheumatic disease, with a prevalence in the United States estimated at 2-4 million people (Kassan and Moutsopoulos 2004), with a female to male ratio of 9:1. Although SS affects men and children as well, it is most commonly seen if perior postmenopausal women.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
