Edwina A. McConnell - Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (June 2002)

MYTH: Sjögren's Syndrome is an uncommon auto-immune disease.
FACT: A debilitating chronic rheumatic disease, Sjögren's Syndrome is the most common autoimmune disease affecting women. From 1 to 2 million Americans have the disease; 95% are women and most are elderly. It may occur as a primary disease (Primary Sjögren's Syndrome) or in association with other rheumatic disorders (Secondary Sjögren's Syndrome).

MYTH: Initially, Sjögren's Syndrome causes gastrointestinal symptoms.
FACT: The first symptoms of Sjögren's Syndrome typically are xerostomia (dry mouth) and xerophthalmia (dry eyes). These symptoms develop when immune cells infiltrate the salivary and lacrimal glands, causing a progressive decline in sight, smell, and taste. As the disease progresses, immune cells infiltrate other tissues and organs, causing various nonglandular signs and symptoms.

MYTH: The most common nonglandular effect of Sjögren's Syndrome is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
FACT: Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common non-glandular manifestation of Sjögren's Syndrome.

MYTH: The onset of disease is dramatic.
FACT: Like other autoimmune diseases, Sjögren's Syndrome is insidious in onset. The patient may start having symptoms between the ages of 35 and 50, but she may not be diagnosed for another 10 years because the disorder progresses so slowly. By the time she's diagnosed, she may already have suffered organ damage.

MYTH: The goal of treatment is cure.
FACT: Sjögren's Syndrome is incurable. The goals of treatment are to manage symptoms and to prevent or minimize organ damage.

MYTH: Sjögren's Syndrome is mostly a nuisance that doesn't require any lifestyle changes.
FACT: Someone with Sjögen's Syndrome suffers from sleep disturbances and fatigue, which may require lifestyle changes. Other symptoms decrease the acuity of senses essential for physiologic functioning and emotional responsiveness, which can seriously diminish her quality of life.