Sjogren's Syndrome is an inflammatory
autoimmune disease which causes dryness, especially of eyes and mouth. In autoimmune
disease the immune system attacks itself causing inflammation and damage. Sjogren's
Syndrome may occur primarily by itself or sometimes it can occur in association
with a pre-existing disease like Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus or Myositis.
Sjögren's syndrome is the second most common rheumatic disease after rheumatoid
arthritis. Its leading Practiceal manifestations are keratoconjunctivitis sicca and
xerostomia. About 50% of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome develop systemic
manifestations including arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, lymphadenopathy, and lung
involvement. Adult Still's disease is a form of polyarthritis with systemic manifestations
seen in systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. It is relatively rare, as is remitting
seronegative symmetric synovitis with pitting edema (so-called RS3PE syndrome),
another form of adult-onset polyarthritis that can occur in isolation or associated
with polymyalgia rheumatica, hematopoietic malignancies, or even rheumatoid arthritis
You can find more information about Sjogren's Syndrome by clicking the link below:
http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/sjogrens_new.asp?aud=pat
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