Apart from symptoms of extensive dryness, other serious complications include profound fatigue, chronic pain, major organ involvement, neuropathies, and lymphomas.
Sjögren’s syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease, meaning it can affect multiple organs and systems throughout the body. Its course varies considerably from person to person—some individuals experience stable, mild symptoms for many years, while others develop progressively worsening symptoms that can significantly impair their daily functioning and quality of life. Because there is no single pattern of disease progression, diagnosing and managing Sjögren’s syndrome can be challenging for both patients and healthcare providers.
Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial, as they can help control symptoms, prevent or minimize serious complications, preserve organ function, and substantially improve a patient’s quality of life.
Approximately half of all Sjögren’s syndrome cases occur as primary Sjögren’s syndrome, where the disease develops on its own. The remaining cases occur as secondary Sjögren’s syndrome, in association with another autoimmune connective tissue disease, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus), or Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma).
Although Sjögren’s syndrome has long been considered a rare disease, it is now recognized as one of the most common autoimmune disorders. It is estimated that approximately four million Americans are living with Sjögren’s syndrome. Despite its high prevalence, the disease remains significantly underdiagnosed because its symptoms often develop gradually and may be mistaken for normal aging or other medical conditions.