Sjögren's Syndrome and Lupus

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks moisture-producing glands, mainly in the eyes and mouth, leading to dryness. Lupus often develops alongside Sjögren's syndrome, as both conditions are autoimmune disorders that target your own cells and cause similar negative effects.

In fact, one-third of lupus patients also have Sjögren's syndrome.

Understanding how the two intersect and differ is key in determining how to move forwards regarding treatment.

*Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.

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Inflammation: Lupus and Sjögren's syndrome both cause inflammation, which can affect and spread to multiple parts of your body and lead to severe damage. In particular, the kidneys seem to be the area where overlap between symptoms occurs the most.

Joint Pain: Both disorders may lead to stiffness, swelling, and pain within the joints. This can lead to decreased mobility and an increased risk of injury.

Fatigue: As common in autoimmune disorders, both Lupus and Sjögren's syndrome cause heightened fatigue due to the immune system working overtime, which can severely affect your ability to work and your quality of life.

Dryness: A prominent symptom between both disorders is dry eyes. This is especially prevalent within Sjögren's syndrome, as it mainly affects the part of your eyes and mouth that secrete moisture. In other words, the amount of tears and saliva you produce is decreased, leading to dry eyes and a dry mouth.

Rashes: Lupus is commonly identified by the signature red, butterfly-shaped rash that spans across your face. Though Sjögren's syndrome doesn’t share that particular rash, it can similarly develop rashes across your skin that can be painful to deal with.

Severity of Symptoms: Though both disorders can cause dry eyes and rashes, a dry throat, eyes, and skin are more commonly associated in Sjögren's syndrome. Likewise, though rashes are found within both disorders, they’re more commonly associated with lupus. However, it is important to note that no two cases of Sjögren's syndrome and/or lupus are the same, and severity will depend on the person.

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Health Disparities: Both lupus and Sjögren's syndrome tend to affect women more than men. However, lupus is more commonly diagnosed in people of color, particularly those in the AAPI community, while Sjögren's syndrome affects all races equally.

While neither lupus nor Sjögren's syndrome are curable, treatments can help manage symptoms.

Medications: Your doctor may suggest immunosuppressants to combat the inflammatory response within your immune system alongside other anti-inflammatory drugs. In the case of Sjögren's syndrome, prescription eye drops may be recommended to assist with eye dryness, depending on severity.

Supplements: Vitamin D and calcium supplements can improve bone health, reducing joint pain. Speak with your doctor if you believe you need supplements to improve your health.

Being Mindful of Your Environment: Depending on your environment, lupus flare ups and symptoms such as dryness can be worsened. To prevent dry eyes or a dry mouth, reduce exposure to blowing air and stick to humid conditions. Additionally, UV light may worsen symptoms for both lupus and Sjögren's syndrome, so be sure monitor UV levels and keep your skin protected.

Proper Pacing: As fatigue can severely affect the daily life of patients with autoimmune disorders, regardless if it's lupus or Sjögren's syndrome, it’s important to remind yourself to take it easy. Take naps if needed, do restorative activities such as meditation, and plan activities ahead to conserve limited energy.

Healthy Diets and Exercise: Eating well and exercising regularly can significantly strengthen your body against joint pain and fatigue. Certain foods may boost energy, and taking time out of your day to work out can help improve the muscles around your joints.

Reduce Smoking: Not only can smoking worsen dryness, it can lead to further health complications down the line.

Lupus and Sjögren's syndrome are both autoimmune disorders that can have several negative impacts on your body, like inflammation, dryness, and fatigue. However, proper treatment can alleviate these effects and help you manage the pain.

Sjogren's Syndrome | Mayo Clinic

Lupus | Mayo Clinic

What to Know About Lupus and Sjögren Disease | Healthline

What’s the Connection Between Lupus and Sjogren’s Syndrome? | Summit Rheumatology

Sjogren's Syndrome and Lupus | Hospital for Special Surgery

Fatigue and autoimmune disease | Harvard Health