Learn About Sjogren Syndrome
Sjögren syndrome is a disorder whose main features are dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition typically develops gradually beginning in middle adulthood but can occur at any age.
Sjögren syndrome is thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors; however, no associations between specific genetic changes and the development of Sjögren syndrome have been confirmed. Researchers believe that variations in many genes affect the risk of developing Sjögren syndrome, but that development of the condition may be triggered by something in the environment. In particular, viral or bacterial infections, which activate the immune system, may have the potential to encourage the development of Sjögren syndrome in susceptible individuals. The genetic variations that increase susceptibility may reduce the body's ability to turn off the immune response when it is no longer needed.
Sjögren syndrome is a relatively common disorder; it occurs in 0.1 to 1 percent of the population. It is difficult to determine the exact prevalence because the characteristic features of this disorder, dry eyes and dry mouth, can also be caused by many other conditions. Women develop Sjögren syndrome about 10 times more often than men; the specific reason for this difference is unknown but likely involves the effects of sex hormones on immune system function.
A predisposition to develop autoimmune disorders can be passed through generations in families. Relatives of people with Sjögren syndrome are at an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, although they are not necessarily more likely to develop Sjögren syndrome in particular. The inheritance pattern of this predisposition is unknown.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Dr. Alan Baer graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1978 and completed his post-graduate medical training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt University Hospitals. He was a faculty member at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, from 1986 to 2007, and served there as Chief of the Section of Rheumatology and Fellowship Program Director. He joined the faculty at Johns Hopkins in 2007 and is currently Professor of Medicine and Director of the Jerome L. Greene Sjogren's Syndrome Center. Since 2015, he has been an Investigator in the Sjogren's Syndrome Clinic at the National Institutes of Health. He was Chief of Rheumatology and Clinical Director of the Johns Hopkins University Rheumatology Practice at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland from 2007 to 2014. Dr. Baer is currently engaged in a number of research studies in the area of Sjogren's syndrome, both at Johns Hopkins and in the NIH Sjogren's Syndrome Clinic. He was the principal investigator of the NIH subcontract to Johns Hopkins to conduct the Sjogren's International Registry (SICCA) and enrolled 300 patients into the registry. The SICCA registry has been a rich source of clinical data and biospecimens for research that Dr. Baer is conducting with colleagues at both Hopkins and the University of California-San Francisco. He is conducting a longitudinal observational study of patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Dr. Baer is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Sjogren Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Sjogren Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Arthritis, and Interstitial Keratitis.
Gaetane Nocturne practices in Paris, France. Nocturne is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Sjogren Syndrome. Their top areas of expertise are Sjogren Syndrome, Dry Mouth, Dry Eye Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), and Tissue Biopsy.
CHU Caen
Eric Hachulla practices in Caen, France. Mr. Hachulla is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Sjogren Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Scleroderma, Sjogren Syndrome, Kidney Transplant, and Lung Transplant.
Background: Sjogren disease is an autoimmune disease - that is, a disease that causes the body's immune system to attack its own organs and tissues. Sjogren disease can affect the kidneys, lungs, or other organs. It can also cause dry mouth and eyes, fever, joint pain, rashes, and other symptoms. Researchers want to know if a drug approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases can help p...
Summary: This study will evaluate the effect of TRYPTYR in patients with Sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye disease. The goal is to determine whether TRYPTYR can improve symptoms and signs of dry eye in this specific patient population.
Published Date: December 09, 2021
Published By: National Institutes of Health