SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME: PATHOGENESIS, DIAGNOSIS, MANIFESTATIONS, AND MODERN TREATMENT – A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Łukasz Jaworek; Gabriela Zimka; Krystian Bjorgen; Lilianna Jasińska; Magdalena  Roman; Martyna Lipiarz; Michał Niespodziewański; Patrycja Szczygielska; Sylwia Hejna; Weronika  Smutkiewicz

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5597

Authors

Łukasz Jaworek Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8117-5644
Gabriela Zimka Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3954-7307
Krystian Bjorgen Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0225-7439
Lilianna Jasińska Medical Student of University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0819-8922
Magdalena Roman Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1261-180X
Martyna Lipiarz Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3124-9250
Michał Niespodziewański Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0937-1549
Patrycja Szczygielska Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2063-3165
Sylwia Hejna Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6313-3067
Weronika Smutkiewicz Medical Student of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4965-1903

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5597

Keywords:

Sjögren’s Syndrome, Xerophthalmia, Xerostomia, Ro/SSA Antibody, La/SSB Antibody, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Treatment

Abstract

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease whose symptoms affect multiple organs and systems. However, a characteristic feature of this syndrome is exocrine gland dysfunction, manifesting as dry eye and dry mouth. Other typical symptoms include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and systemic manifestations such as cutaneous vasculitis, interstitial lung disease, and neuropathy. Sjögren's syndrome, as with other rheumatoid diseases, is more common in women than in men, most often in middle age [1]. Patients with this syndrome also have an increased cardiovascular risk and an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The first case with dry eye symptoms was described in 1892 by Jan Mikulicz-Radecki, a Polish-German surgeon [2]. We differentiate between primary Sjögren's syndrome and the secondary form associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. More than half of patients demonstrate elevated levels of antinuclear antibodies (Ro). The etiology of Sjogren's syndrome remains poorly understood, but several genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors have been proposed. Diagnosis is based on symptoms of dry eye syndrome, the presence of characteristic autoantibodies, and morphological findings from a minor salivary gland biopsy. Treatment of Sjogren's syndrome is based on symptomatic therapies for dry eyes and the oral cavity. This review also focuses primarily on modern biologic medications and new, promising therapeutic options.

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