Your doctor may recommend some or all of the following tests:
Consequently, it had not been performed in Iran until then. Stressing that this patient suffering from multi autoimmune syndrome was the first case in Iran, Hajifathali noted: “As the treatment was not performed in Iran until then, we were not aware of ...
The following types of segments are included in the report:
Stages of Sjogrens. Stage I is glandular Stage II is extraglandular (skin and such affected) Stage III would involve extraglandular and lymphoid malignancy These stages can last 10-20 each years (the article suggested this as an approximate, not an absolute in my opinion- and since there are individuals that have lived with SS...
Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is frustrating enough on its own. But about 15 percent of people with RA develop a complication that affects the tear and saliva glands, causing dry mouth, dry eyes, dry skin, and additional symptoms that further aggravate their arthritis. It's called Sjögren's syndrome (SS).
Sjögren's syndrome occurs in two basic forms: primary Sjögren's syndrome -- the disease by itself and not associated with any other illness; and secondary Sjögren's syndrome -- disease that develops in the presence of another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis.
Clinical Aspects of Sjögren's Sjögren's is a systemic autoimmune disease in which most organs could be affected, giving rise to various extraglandular clinical manifestations4 (see Table 45.1) (Figs. 45.3 and 45.4).
In secondary Sjogren's syndrome, which accounts for over 50% of the cases diagnosed, other autoimmune diseases are present, including rheumatoid arthritis (20-30%), systemic lupus erythematosus (15-35%), systemic sclerosis (10-25%), and psoriatic arthritis.
There are two forms of Sjögren's syndrome:Primary Sjögren's syndrome develops on its own, not because of any other health condition.Secondary Sjögren's syndrome develops in addition to other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and psoriatic arthritis.
Most often, the co-occurring autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis. Other individuals with secondary Sjogren's may have lupus, scleroderma, primary biliary cirrhosis, or a different kind of autoimmune disease.
Sjogren's is a serious condition, but timely treatment can mean that complications are less likely to develop, and tissue damage is less likely to occur. Once treated, an individual can usually manage the condition well. Sjogren's can develop at any age, but most diagnoses occur after the age of 40 years.
Certain diseases affecting salivary and lacrimal glands such as sarcoidosis, IgG4-related disease, chronic hepatitis C virus, HIV infections, and graft-versus-host disease can mimic Sjögren's syndrome, usually via a process of similar inflammation of affected glands.
There's currently no cure for Sjögren's syndrome, but there are several treatments that can help, such as: eye drops that keep your eyes wet (artificial tears) sprays, lozenges (medicated sweets) and gels that keep your mouth wet (saliva substitutes) medicine that helps your body produce more tears and saliva.
Life expectancy and primary Sjogren's syndrome Life expectancy in primary Sjogren's syndrome is comparable to that of the general population, but it can take up to seven years to correctly diagnose Sjogren's. Although life expectancy is not typically affected, patients' quality of life is, and considerably.
Treat systemwide symptoms. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug designed to treat malaria, is often helpful in treating Sjogren's syndrome. Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate (Trexall), also might be prescribed.