Sjögren’s Syndrome in China

Abstract

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) is as commonly seen in Chinese as in people of other ethnic origins. Previous studies have suggested that Chinese pSS patients may have more severe disease and a higher frequency of major organ involvement, including the cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological diseases. Protein-losing enteropathy, in particular, appears to be a characteristic variant of gastrointestinal disease seen in Chinese patients. As with all patients, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia have a major impact in Chinese patients with pSS. This is particularly important for patients from China and other Asian countries because of the lack of a comprehensive dental health service and habitual smoking among patients.