Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune-based systemic disease that causes malfunction of various exocrine secreting glands (i.e., those that spill secreted material onto the surface of the tissue in which they are inserted) in the body, starting with the lacrimal and salivary glands.
The resulting reduction in the production of tear film, saliva, and other secretions underlies the characteristic symptoms of the disease and, if not compensated for from outside, can cause significant tissue damage to the mucous membranes of the eye, mouth, throat, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, and renal tubules.
Especially in the severe forms and if not adequately treated, Sjögren’s syndrome can have a poor prognosis and result in death from lung infection or, rarely, renal failure or lymphoma.
The disease mainly affects women, especially from 35-40 years of age, and often appears in people already suffering from other autoimmune/rheumatic diseases.
