Strangely related symptoms

Why might a doctor ask an arthritis patient about her dry mouth or eyes?

Because there can be a connection in a disease called Sjogren's Syndrome. (Say "show-grens.")

In the '30s, Swedish physician Henrik Sjögren noticed that some of his arthritis patients had the other symptoms. The syndrome named after him is an autoimmune disorder -- a disease in which the body's immune system attacks the body's own cells.

In this instance, the immune system goes after tissues that produce moisture, such as those that make saliva. However, the lungs, kidneys and liver can also be affected.

As with many autoimmune diseases, Sjogren's syndrome is more common among women, and among those in middle age.

Although the syndrome's cause is not known, its symptoms can often be treated with eye drops, various methods of moistening the mouth, and drugs that reduce inflammation.

August 25, 2001

If you have a medical mystery for the sleuths at Sound Medicine, email it to us at: soundmed@iu.edu. Or call us at 317-274-IU4U (317-274-4848).