Sjogren's Syndrome is the second most common rheumatic disease after rheumatoid arthritis. About 50% of patients with primary Sjogren's Syndrome develop systemic manifestations, including arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, lymphadenopathy, and lung involvement. At Comprehensive Arthritis Care in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Board-Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Mohammad F. Ali, MD, specializes in caring for Sjogren's Syndrome. Call the office to schedule your consultation or request an appointment online today to find out more.
Sjogren’s Syndrome is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes dryness, especially in the eyes and mouth. With an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks itself, causing inflammation and damage.
Sjogren's Syndrome may occur primarily by itself, or sometimes it can be associated with a pre-existing disease like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or myositis.
The second most common rheumatic disease after rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's Syndrome’s leading manifestations are keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes) and xerostomia (dry mouth).
There are two forms of Sjogren's Syndrome. The team at Comprehensive Arthritis Care treats the following:
This type develops independently, not due to any other health condition.
This type develops in addition to other autoimmune diseases like lupus, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Adult Still's disease is a rare type of inflammatory arthritis that features fevers, joint pain, and rash. Some people have just one episode of adult Still's disease. In other people, the condition can persist or recur. Inflammation can destroy affected joints, particularly the wrists.
This disease is a form of polyarthritis; a term used when at least five joints are affected with arthritis, with systemic manifestations seen in systemic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Adult Still's disease is relatively rare, as is remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (so-called RS3PE syndrome), another form of adult-onset polyarthritis that can occur in isolation or is associated with polymyalgia rheumatica, hematopoietic malignancies, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Many patients remain stable in stages I or II for 10-20 years. Factors may trigger patients in stages I or II to progress to stages II or III. Only patients with such factors progress from stages I or II to stages II or III, respectively.
At Comprehensive Arthritis Care, Board-Certified Rheumatologist, Dr. Ali, provides the diagnosis and treatment for all individuals 16 years and up for Sjogren's Syndrome and various types of arthritis, lupus, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, and pain disorders of the muscles and bones.
Rheumatologists are autoimmune disease and musculoskeletal specialists and, therefore, trained and qualified to make a correct diagnosis of Sjogren's. They can also advise patients about the best available treatment options and coordinate care with other specialists (when needed).
To learn more about Sjogren's Syndrome, call Comprehensive Arthritis Care to schedule a consultation, or request one online today.