SJOGREN'S SYNDROME

also called Sicca Syndrome, chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by severe dryness of the eyes and the mouth that results from a diminution in secretion of tears and saliva. Dryness may also involve the nose, pharynx, larynx, and tracheobronchial tree. Approximately half the persons affected also have rheumatoid arthritis or, less commonly, some other connective-tissue disease, such as scleroderma, polymyositis, or systemic lupus erythematosus. The great majority of the persons affected by Sjgren's syndrome are women. Infiltration (gradual assemblage) of lymphocytes and plasma cells leads to enlargement of the parotid or other salivary glands in half the patients. There may also be enlargement of the spleen, diminution in white blood cell numbers, Raynaud's phenomenon, vasculitis (inflammation of vessels) with chronic leg ulcers, a disease of the peripheral or trigeminal nerves, chronic (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid), enlargement of the liver, and inflammation of the pancreas. A number of persons with sicca syndrome of long duration have developed neoplasms of the type called reticulum cell sarcoma, or primary macroglobulinemia (the presence in the blood of globulins of high molecular weight). Treatment toward relief of symptoms includes the administration of artificial tears to lessen ocular dryness. Corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs have been employed with some success for the more serious manifestations.