Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract

Thirty-six years ago, Sjögren described dry eyes and mouth in patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis. Later others observed that dry eyes and mouth also occur with collagen disease. Dryness results from deficient secretion by the lacrimal and salivary glands. About half of these patients have enlarged parotid and submaxillary glands infiltrated by lymphocytes; more than nine of 10 are women; and most show hypergammaglobulinemia.