Progression of Sjögren Syndrome

One of the main breakthroughs are the international indices that measure the activity of the disease (known as ESSDAI and ESSPRI), particularly acute complications in the main organs affected. These involve a detailed analysis and definition of all the symptoms a Sjögren Syndrome sufferer may present, beyond just dryness (so-called systemic or extra-glandular manifestations). The aim of this project is to evaluate and diagnose systemic manifestations in the same way at an international level, and to help define a more accurate and precise diagnosis, better treatment, and a better prognosis.

It is highly recommended that the specialist controlling the disease use the ESSDAI index to classify the risk of complications (the higher the score, the greater the risk).

Fertility and offspring are generally not affected by the presence of Sjögren Syndrome, with one important exception: the passage of the mother's antibodies (anti-Ro) through the placenta can lead to heart problems in the foetus, or skin lesions in the newborn.
It is very important that, during pregnancy, the woman is monitored by a multidisciplinary team of specialists (autoimmune disease specialist, obstetrician/gynaecologist, and cardiologist or dermatologist) with experience in evaluating patients with autoimmune diseases.

The main chronic complications of the disease derive from prolonged periods of hydration problems affecting the main mucous membranes. This leads to many symptoms that become chronic, including itchy eyes, a dry mouth, dry cough, or tiredness and chronic pain.

If certain systemic conditions are not detected and treated quickly enough, the patient may develop chronic organ failure, for example, of the kidneys (chronic renal failure) or lungs (pulmonary fibrosis).

Lymphoma is the most serious complication of the disease, and leading specialists understand the factors that can help diagnose this cancer at an early stage.