Sjögren’s Syndrome

Abstract

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder of unknown origin. The disease affects mainly the exocrine glands, particularly the salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in dry mouth and eyes. In more than a half of patients, it extends beyond the exocrine glands affecting parenchymal organs and small-size arteries producing extraglandular manifestation. The disease is common, affecting around 0.5 % of the general population, ranking in second incidence among the systemic autoimmune disorders, after rheumatoid arthritis. The last years’ several clinical and molecular information demonstrated the central role of the epithelial cell in the pathogenesis and clinical expression of the disease and coined the etiologic name “autoimmune epithelitis” for the syndrome. In the present chapter, the clinical picture with emphasis to skin involvement, recent pathogenetic aspects, and treatment modalities are discussed.