Sjogrens Syndrome

Question 1

What is sjogrens syndrome

Answer 1

an autoimmune disease that affects the lacrimal and salivary glands
it is an inflammatory disease associated with circulating antibodies

Question 2

How does Sjogren syndrome present

Answer 2

• dry eyes
• dry mouth
• can also present with fibromyalgia-like joint and muscle pain
• Swollen salivary glands
• rashes

Question 3

What is primary sjogrens

Answer 3

not associated with any other disease

Question 4

What is secondary sjogrens

Answer 4

associated with another connective tissue disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, SLE etc

Question 5

What is sicca syndrome

Answer 5

this describes the dry eyes dry mouth symptoms

Question 6

What tests are used for treatment of sjogrens

Answer 6

blood tests
examination of eyes
histopathology

Question 7

What will the blood tests be looking at

Answer 7

circulating antibodies that are associated with sjogrens

Question 8

What will examination of the eyes consist of

Answer 8

ophthalmologist will look at eyes under microscope to look at distribution across the layer of tears - a patchy layer is a sign of sjogren

Question 9

What will the histopathology be looking at

Answer 9

biopsy of the lip

Question 10

What scale is used to assess severity of xerostomia?

Answer 10

Challacombe scale

Question 11

How would you manage someone with xerostomia/what advice would you give?

Answer 11

• use lib balm if lips become dry
• take small sips of water to keep mouth moist
• can chew gum to try stimulate saliva
• are salivary replacements but are short-lived (saliva orthana)
• might want high Fl- regime due to less salvia clearance etc

Question 12

What is the dental relevance of xerstomia?

Answer 12

• Poorer retention of prosthetic appliances (cohesion)

- less saliva clearance so higher risk of caries