Sjogren's Syndrome

Question 1

What is Sjogrens Syndrome?

Answer 1

• Chronic autoimmune disease affecting salivary glands and tear glands

Question 2

What are the 3 classifications of Sjogrens Syndrome?

Answer 2

• Sicca syndrome
• Primary sjogrens
• Secondary sjogrens

Question 3

What is Sicca syndrome?

Answer 3

• Partial sjogrens findings
• Either dry eyes or dry mouth not both

Question 4

What is primary sjogrens syndrome?

Answer 4

• Dry eyes and dry mouth
• But no other connective tissue disease

Question 5

What is Secondary sjogrens syndrome?

Answer 5

• Dry eyes and dry mouth
• Has other Connective tissue disease
• e.g. SLE, RA, Scleroderma

Question 6

What are some common triggers that when they are interlinked makes a susceptible pt more likely of developing auto-immune disease>

Answer 6

• Genetics
• Infections
• Dietary components
• Toxic chemicals

Question 7

What is the epidemiology of sjogrens syndrome?

Answer 7

• 0.2-1.2% have this disease
• Half this figure have another connective tissue disease
• 10:1 women

Question 8

Why is there diagnostic delay in sjogren’s syndrome?

Answer 8

• Late presentations of disease due to disease not causing any pain when affecting the tissues
• Most likely only get diagnosed when pt present with dry mouth, by this time the salivary glands have been too affected for thorough intervention

Question 9

If sjogrens is present during reproductive phase of pregnancy what is there a risk for the baby of?

Answer 9

• Neonatal lupus
• Can lead to complete heart block leading baby to need pacemaker fitted later on

Question 10

There is systemic involvement in secondary sjogrens syndrome. What systems are the most involved?

Answer 10

• Lungs
• Kidney (renal)
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Blood vessels
• Nervous
• Due to vasculitic changes due to autoimmune process

Question 11

What is the sjogrens syndrome aetiology?

Answer 11

• Genetic predisposition (association with anti-Ro and anti-La)
• Low oestrogen gives risk of getting CT disease
• Incomplete cell apoptosis leads to antigens being improperly exposed
• Dysregulation of inflammatory process with dendritic AP cells recruiting Band T cell responses and pro-inflam cytokines

Weak evidence of EBV (epstein bar virus) association - reactive change rather than causative

Question 12

What are the consequences of sjogrens syndrome?

Answer 12

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