Secondary Sjögren Syndrome — NDEB AFK MCQ

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ModerateOral MedicineSecondary Sjögren SyndromeNDEB AFK

Which of the following conditions is characterised by a triad of dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), dry mouth (xerostomia), and connective tissue disease (most commonly rheumatoid arthritis)?

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Correct answer: C — Secondary Sjögren syndrome

Secondary Sjögren syndrome is defined as the combination of keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes), xerostomia (dry mouth/salivary gland dysfunction), AND an associated connective tissue/autoimmune disease (most commonly rheumatoid arthritis, but also SLE, systemic sclerosis, or primary biliary cholangitis). Primary Sjögren syndrome has the sicca complex WITHOUT an associated connective tissue disease. Both involve autoimmune destruction of exocrine glands (lacrimal and salivary) with lymphocytic infiltration.

Reference: Neville – Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 4th ed., 2016