Sjögren’s syndrome: a report of two cases

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by symptoms of oral and ocular dryness, lymphocytic infiltration and destruction of the exocrine glands. Although, the salivary and lacrimal glands are primarily affected, involvement of exocrine glands may cause dryness of other mucosal areas (nose, throat, trachea, and vagina) and the skin and may also involve many organ systems (thyroid, lung, kidney, etc.).
Sjögren’s syndrome primarily affects peri- and postmenopausal women, (the female- to-male ratio is 9:1). The patients also frequently experience arthralgias, myalgias, peripheral neuropathies, and rashes. It may occur as primary SS or when associated with other autoimmune disease, most commonly rheumatoid arthritis presents as secondary SS.
Revised International classification criteria for Sjögren’s syndrome suggested by American- European Consensus Group (AECG) 2002 is commonly used for diagnosis. Confirmatory diagnosis requires either four of the six criteria, which must include positive minor salivary gland biopsy or a positive antibody test and other criteria’s of ocular symptoms, oral dryness, reduced lacrimal or salivary gland function.