How Does Pediatric Sj ö gren Syndrome Present?

Discussion Sjögren Syndrome (SS) is named for Swedish ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren who published a case series in 1933 describing patients with dry eyes and arthritis. SS is a “chronic autoimmune inflammatory exocrinopathy” that is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the lacrimal and salivary glands and has various degrees of systematic involvement. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia are the main clinical symptoms. Sicca is a Latin word meaning dry. Dryness of the eyes and mouth without evidence of autoimmune disease is called Sicca syndrome or Sicca complex. SS can be primary or secondary. Primary includes keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia which is the same as Sicca syndrome. Secondary includes keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia and evidence of connective tissue disease, usually rheumatoid arthritis. Many people with Sicca syndrome may have SS, but not all. SS is an autoimmune disease and therefore the cause of the Sicca syndrome symptoms needs to be established that it is caused by an autoimmune problem and not because of another reason. Symptoms may take time to develop and therefore patients can be diagnosed with Sicca syndrome before SS is diagnosed. SS in adults is a clinical diagnosis with various professional organizations having diagnostic criteria for making its diagnosis. Patients usually have dry eyes, dry mouth, and abnormal salivary gland biopsies and abnormal laboratory testing. Patients are usually femal...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news