Sjögren’s Syndrome: Symptoms & Treatment
Write in brief on Sjögren’s syndrome.
Or
Write short note on Sjögren’s syndrome.
Answer. It is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that affcts salivary, lacrimal and another exocrine gland.
Sjögren’s syndrome Types
- Primary Sjögren’s syndrome: It is also known as Sicca syndrome. It consists of dry eyes, i.e. xerophthalmia and dry mouth, i.e. Xerostomia.
- Secondary Sjögren’s syndrome:It consists of dry eyes, i.e. xerophthalmia, drymouth, i.e. xerostomia and collagendiso-rders, i.e.rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematous.
“Symptoms Of Sjögren’S Syndrome In Adults”
Sjögren’s syndrome Clinical Features
- Xerostomia is present with unpleasant taste, soreness and diffilty in eating dry fruits.
- Patient also complains of xerophthalmia and arthralgia
- Severe tiredness is present.
- There is cobble stone appearance of tongue.
- There is often secondary acute bacterial sialadenitis and rapid progressive dental caries.
- Burning sensation present in the eyes.
- Parotid gland is predominantly affcted, sometimes sub mandibular and minor glands can also be affected.
“Causes Of Sjögren’S Syndrome”
Sjögren’s syndrome Investigations
- Sialography: Presence of snowstorm and branchless fruit laden tree appearance.
- Rose bengal staining test: Keratoconjunctivitis sicca is characterized by corneal keratotic lesion which stain pink when‘rose bengal’ dye is used.
- Schirmer test: Lacrimal flw rate is measured by this test.
In this test a strip of fiter paper is placed in between eye and eyelid for determining degree oftears which is measured in millimeter.
When flow is reduced to 5 mm in 5 minute sample, patient is considered positive for Sjögren’s syndrome. - Sialometry: In this salivary flw rate estimation is carried out. Stimulated flw rate in symptomatic primary and secondary sjögren’s syndrome is below 0.5 to 1 mL/min.
- Sialochemistry: In Sjögren’s syndrome saliva of parotid gland is has twice total lipid content and high phospholipids and glycolipids.
- Blood investigations should be done.
“Best Ways To Manage Sjögren’S Syndrome”
Sjögren’s syndrome Treatment
- Ocular lubricants, i.e. artifiial tears should be used and provide relief.
- Xerostomia is managed by saliva substitutes.
- Frequent drinking of water is mandatory.
- Maintenance of oral hygiene is mandatory.
- Fluoride application should be done.
- Various saliva stimulants, i.e. pilocarpine, bromhexine and cevimeline are used.
- If salivary gland is enlarged to the extent that it is giving discomfort to the patient, then surgery is carried out.
Leave a Reply