Sicca syndrome, also referred to as Sjogren's syndrome, is a condition typically characterized by dry eyes, dry mouth, and often another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis (most commonly), lupus, or polymyositis. The condition predominantly affects women, with approximately 90% of patients being female, usually in middle age or older.Sjogren's syndrome is an inflammatory disorder impacting glands and other tissues. Inflammation in the tear-producing lacrimal glands reduces tear production, resulting in dry eyes. Similarly, inflammation of the salivary glands, including the parotid glands, leads to a dry mouth. These symptoms can lead to complications like infections in the eyes, respiratory passages, and mouth.This syndrome is often linked with autoantibodies, which are antibodies produced by the body against its own tissues. Diagnosing the syndrome can also be supported by a biopsy of affected tissues. Treatment focuses on managing the specific areas impacted by the disease and addressing complications such as infections.The term "sicca" highlights the dryness of the eyes and mouth. The syndrome is named after Henrik Samuel Conrad Sjogren, a Swedish ophthalmologist who, in 1933, described the condition in his doctoral thesis after observing it in a middle-aged woman and subsequently documenting 19 cases. Despite his work not being initially recognized with an academic title, Sjogren's syndrome became widely acknowledged internationally.
