Sjögren's Syndrome: Much More Than Sicca Symptoms: A Literature Review

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a long-term autoimmune disease that mainly results in dry eyes and mouth due to dysfunction of the lacrimal and salivary glands. It can also lead to a wide range of systemic symptoms, potentially involving multiple organ systems. The disorder is categorized as primary (pSS) when it arises on its own, or secondary when it occurs alongside other autoimmune conditions. Diagnosis is frequently delayed by several years after symptom onset, and even after a diagnosis is made, no therapies currently exist that target the root cause of the disease. In this article, we focus on the systemic manifestations of Sjögren's syndrome and their treatment. We also present current research directions related to the disease’s pathogenesis and therapy, while highlighting specific areas that require further investigation. Advancing knowledge in these fields may contribute to improving the quality of life for SS patients and to the development of more personalized and effective treatment approaches.