Systemic and Unpredictable Disease

Every person living with Sjögren's disease experiences it differently and symptoms can present with varying degrees of severity.1 Sjögren's is most commonly associated with excessive dry mouth and dry eye, but symptoms can severely impact the whole body and may include:2-6

  • “Brain fog”
  • Dry nose
  • Fatigue
  • Joint pain
  • Dry skin
  • Skin rashes
  • Symptoms related to organ dysfunction
  • Muscle pain or weakness
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Erectile dysfunction

People living with Sjögren’s face a physical, mental, and economic burden that often goes unseen and can interfere with daily life.7,8

Sjögren's can be challenging to recognize and diagnose because symptoms may mimic other medical conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.9,10

There isn’t a single test that can diagnose Sjögren's disease. Healthcare providers often need to conduct a series of tests and ask about symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis.10

One common test is a blood test that looks for certain antibodies (SS-A/Ro and SS-B/La), which can be an indicator of Sjögren’s.11 However, not everyone with Sjögren’s will have these antibodies—up to 70% of people test positive for SS-A, and up to 40% test positive for SS-B.12

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The Impact of Sjögren's Disease

It is estimated that 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with Sjögren's are women, generally diagnosed between the ages of 50-60 years, with symptoms sometimes presenting earlier in life.3,13 However, Sjögren’s can be diagnosed in all ages, races, and genders.6

Due to the typical age of diagnosis in women, symptoms of Sjögren’s can be mistaken for perimenopause or menopause, often leaving patients feeling dismissed.9,14

Men experience a wide range of symptoms too; however, they often report being diagnosed with nervous-system and heart-related conditions more frequently than women.6,15

The Future of Care and Our Commitment to Patients

Currently, Sjögren's management is based on the treatment of dryness symptoms and immunosuppression for systemic disease.16 

There is currently no single medication to treat the underlying cause of Sjögren’s.16 In the absence of an approved disease-modifying treatment, there is a critical unmet need, as current treatments provide temporary and partial symptomatic relief in moderate to severe cases.17-19

Life after a Sjögren’s diagnosis can be challenging. To help, Novartis is collaborating with key advocacy partners to create an environment that empowers patients with knowledge and support to manage living with the disease.

Novartis is committed to engaging with and listening to the Sjögren's community to help bring awareness to the full picture of the disease and make a meaningful impact for patients.

Doctor performing skin exam