NBDE & NBDHE HIGH SPEED DRILL: SJOGREN'S SYNDROME
Ricky Rubin
SJOGREN'S SYNDROME–an autoimmune salivary and lacrimal gland disorder of unknown cause marked by chronic inflammation of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Often affects post-menopausal women who present with dry eyes and mouth. 50% of cases have BILATERAL enlargement of the PAROTID and SUBMANDIBULAR glands.
SYMPTOMS: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), XEROSTOMIA (dry mouth), and keratoconjunctiva sicca (dryness of the eyes). However, all 3 symptoms rarely occur in one patient. The decrease in salivation may cause rampant caries reminiscent of radiation caries.