April is Sjögren's Awareness Month!

Sjögren's is an autoimmune disease commonly associated with dry eyes and dry mouth. However, it can also affect other parts of the body, including the lungs, brain, sinus tract, joints, and more. Symptoms vary from person to person, ranging from dry skin, eyes, and mouth to sinus inflammation, fatigue, and swelling of salivary glands. As more research has come to light, it is becoming more apparent that many patients suffer from systemic symptoms such as fatigue and pain, which greatly reduce their quality of life. It was only in 2024 that the international community finally changed Sjögren's characterization from a dryness-associated "syndrome" to "disease" to reflect its significant and systemic impact on patients.

Sjögren's disease mainly affects women, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 9 to 1. According to ARI's data, there are an estimated 695,100 patients in the US diagnosed with Sjögren's. However, Sjögren's is believed to be greatly underdiagnosed as many patients report difficulties in obtaining a diagnosis and encountering significant delays of up to 5 to 10 years before diagnosis. Diagnostic tests include blood tests, eye tests, and dental tests, which measure marker antibodies, tear production, and saliva production.

Sjögren's Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about the complexity and underdiagnosis of Sjögren's disease. It is because of the efforts of patients and advocates like you that Sjögren's was finally recognized as a "disease." Moreover, where it was previously referred to as "secondary" to other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, the language has now shifted to the use of "associated" to recognize the seriousness of Sjögren's and its comparable impact on patients.

Promoting understanding and fostering support for individuals with Sjögren's can lead to a quicker diagnosis, improved treatment options, and a better quality of life. Do you have Sjögren's disease? Share your story here on Soapboxx (anonymous mode is also available).

To support the Autoimmune Registry, please share our information with others who have autoimmune diseases. Donations are also greatly appreciated!