Measurement of quality of life in primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (PSS) is an immune-mediated rheumatic disease in which inflammation of secretory (exocrine) glands leads to dry eyes and dry mouth [1]. Dryness of other surfaces such as the skin, vagina, airways, and gastrointestinal tract also occurs. The secretory glands are infiltrated by collections (focal aggregations) of lymphocytes. In the salivary glands, these focal lymphocyte aggregations are typically clustered around the salivary ducts. Patients typically also complain of reduced well-being, fatigue, and arthralgia. Approximately three-quarters of patients have autoantibodies in their blood – anti-Ro and/or anti-La antibodies – and a majority also have elevated total immunoglobulin levels (hypergammaglobulinaemia).