Sjogren syndrome is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that most commonly occurs in middle-aged women.

Epidemiology

Etiology

Primary Sjogren syndrome: idiopathic (association with HLA-DR52)
Secondary Sjogren syndrome: associated with another autoimmune disease, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, or primary biliary cirrhosis

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Ocular symptoms
- Xerophthalmia: dry eyes due to decreased secretion of tears (daily, persistent)
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
  - Conjunctival injection
  - Eye itching or burning sensation
  - Recurrent sensation of sand or a foreign body in the eyes
Oral symptoms
- Xerostomia: dry mouth due to decreased secretion of saliva (daily, persistent) which may lead to:
  - Dental caries and oral infections
  - Parotid gland enlargement, often bilateral
  - Tongue fissures