Sjogren's syndrome
Complications of Sjogren's syndrome
Sjgren's syndrome isn'tusuallylife-threatening, but it is linked to more serious problems.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
It's estimated that people with Sjgren's syndrome are 44 times more likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma than people without the condition.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a Predictive genetic test for cancer risk genes of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a series of vessels and glands (lymph nodes) that are spread throughout your body, much like your blood vessels.
While this increased risk may sound alarming, the chance of a person with Sjgrens syndrome developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma is still small, as it only affects around 5% of people with the syndrome.
However, if you have Sjgrens syndrome, you should be aware of the main early symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a painless swelling in a lymph node (gland) usually in the neck, armpit or groin. Report any swollen lymph nodes to your GP.
Eye damage
If dry eyes aren't treated, they canbecome inflamed and you can develop ulcers on the surface of youreyes (corneal ulcers).
If left untreated, corneal ulcers can lead to loss of vision and permanent sight damage.
Pregnancy
If you're planning to become pregnant and have Sjgren's syndrome, ask your GP to test for certain antibodies that may be present in Sjgren's syndrome and are known to cause a temporary lupus rash in newborn babies. In very rare cases, the antibodies can also cause heart defects in babies.
If these antibodies are found, there should be no reason why you can't continue with the pregnancy, but your child may need additional specialist care during pregnancy and after the birth.
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Other conditions
A number of other conditions have been linked to Sjgren's syndrome, including:
- peripheral neuropathy a condition that often involves loss of sensation in the hands and feet
- Raynaud's phenomenon restricted blood flow to the hands, which can cause them to feel cold, numb and painful
- kidney problems such as inflammation or kidney stones
- an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) which can lead to tiredness and weight gain
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which can cause abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements
- teeth cavities
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 5 Jan 2017
Introduction
Sjgren's (pronounced Show-grin's) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder. The bodys immune system attacks glands that secrete fluid, such as the tear and saliva glands.
Symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome
The most commonly reported symptoms of Sjgren's syndrome are a dry mouth and eyes, which can lead to other associated symptoms.
Causes of Sjögren's syndrome
It's not known exactly what causes Sjgren's syndrome, but it is thought to be linked to a problem with the immune system.
Diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome
Sjgren's syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to those of other health conditions.
Treating Sjögren's syndrome
There's no cure for Sjgren's syndrome, but treatments help relieve symptoms such as eye and mouth dryness.
Complications of Sjogren's syndrome
Sjgren's syndrome isn't usually life-threatening, but it is linked to more serious problems.
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