What Is the Connection Between Lupus and Sjögren’s Disease?

Like lupus, Sjögren’s (or Sjögren’s) disease is an autoimmune disorder. This means a person’s body attacks its own healthy tissue. Lupus and Sjögren’s share symptoms with several other autoimmune conditions. They also often occurs together.

Sjögrens is most likely to co-occur with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. These are both diseases of the connective tissue.^1-3

Classifying the Disease

When Sjögren’s does not occur with another connective tissue disease, it is called primary Sjögren’s disease. When it does occur with another of these conditions, it is called associated Sjögren’s disease. In most cases, Sjögren’s is associated with another autoimmune disorder.^2,4,5

Up to 18 percent of people with lupus live with Sjögren’s disease. Experts do not know exactly why lupus and Sjögren's overlap in so many people. However, they suspect the conditions share certain causes. Among these are genetic features and environmental triggers.^1,6

What is Sjögren’s disease?

In people with Sjögren’s disease, the immune system response attacks the glands that produce saliva and tears. This process leads to long-term inflammation, which damages the glands.⁷

Sjögren’s also can cause the immune system to attack other parts of the body, such as the lungs or kidneys. People with primary Sjögren’s are more likely to have these effects than those with associated Sjögren’s. Overall, Sjögren’s symptoms can vary widely. They also may come and go.^1,2,7

Who is at risk?

Most people with Sjögren’s are women. In fact, the condition is 10 times more common in women than in men. Most often, symptoms develop in a person’s 40s or 50s. People with lupus or other autoimmune disorders also are at higher risk.^1,7,8

Sjögren’s disease used to be called Sjögren’s syndrome. However, a syndrome is a collection of symptoms. Since Sjögren’s is a serious, ongoing (chronic), and systemic condition, the term “disease” better describes it.⁴

What are the symptoms of Sjögren’s disease?

Symptoms of Sjogren’s can range from mild to disabling. Each person may have different symptoms. Some people might experience only one symptom, like dry eyes. Others have several. Depending on the part of the body the immune system is attacking, symptoms can include:^1,2,7

• Dry, irritated, and itchy eyes that may burn or feel gritty
• Light sensitivity
• Dry, chalky feeling in the mouth or throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Dry cough
• Joint pain or muscle pain
• Dry skin or skin rashes

Sjögren’s disease can also lead to dental problems, eye damage, or fungal infections. People with Sjögren’s also have a slightly increased risk of a type of cancer called lymphoma.⁷

What causes Sjögren’s disease?

Experts know that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in people with Sjögren’s disease. But they do not know exactly why this happens. As with other autoimmune conditions, they suspect a combination of genetic and environmental factors.¹

Specific autoantibodies are common in the blood of people with Sjögren’s. An antibody is a protein that the immune system makes to protect the body. Usually, antibodies fight off germs like bacteria or viruses. But in people with autoimmune disorders, some antibodies (called autoantibodies) fight healthy cells.^2,5,9

Common antibodies found in people with Sjögren’s include:^2,5,9,10

• Antinuclear antibodies – About 80 percent of people with Sjögren’s test positive for these antibodies. These are the general type of antibodies that attack healthy cells. They are often a sign of an autoimmune disease, especially in people with high levels.
• Anti-SSA (Ro) and Anti-SSB (La) – Between 60 and 80 percent of people with Sjögren’s have this type of autoantibody. They are very common in both lupus and Sjögren’s.
• Rheumatoid factor – Between 60 and 95 percent of people with Sjögren’s have a type of antibody called rheumatoid factor. This antibody is most common in people with rheumatoid arthritis. But it also is present in many people with other autoimmune disorders.

Key similarities between lupus and Sjögren's

Researchers are still studying the connection between lupus and Sjögren's disease. They have identified severay key similarities: ^2,5,8,10,13

• Shared Symptoms – Both conditions can cause joint pain, skin rashes, and kidney damage.
• Overlapping Autoantibodies – Many people with lupus have the same autoantibodies as those with Sjögren’s. For example, between 35 and 50 percent of people with lupus have anti-SSA antibodies.
• Common Genetics – Both diseases may involve similar genes and genetic changes.
• Environmental Triggers – Infections, sun exposure, and stress can trigger both conditions.
• Hormonal Links – Since both mostly affect women, experts are researching the link to sex hormones and the X chromosome.

How is Sjögren’s disease treated?

There is no cure for Sjögren’s. But it can be treated effectively. The goal of Sjögren’s treatment is to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Both prescription and over-the-counter treatments are available.¹¹

Different symptoms require different treatments. For example:^7,11,12

• For Eyes: Artificial tears and humidifiers can help keep the eyes moist.
• For Mouth: Saliva stimulators, special toothpastes, lozenges, or hard candies can help relieve dry mouth.
• For Systemic Effects: Anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs can block the immune system response.

People living with Sjögren’s should get regular dental and eye exams to look for signs of damage.⁷