Sjögren’s syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary and lacrimal glands and other organs along with systemic production of autoantibodies. The involvement of salivary and lacrimal glands leads to progressive decreases in the quantity and quality of saliva and tears and impaired quality of life. Local treatment of the dry eyes and mouth can prevent complications, but does not appear to alter the course of the disease. Early diagnosis and implementation are critical in improving patients’ quality of life and treating complications.
Patients often first present to ophthalmologist with complaints of dry eye, and as a result ophthalmologists are in a unique position to screen patients for possible Sjögren’s syndrome. However, currently there are no evidence-based screening tools for ophthalmologists to use to identify patients with a high likelihood of having Sjögren’s syndrome. The central hypothesis of this research is that using a screening algorithm comprised of a combination of questionnaire responses, autoantibody tests and standard dry eye exam findings will stratify dry eye patients into those having high, medium or low likelihood of having Sjögren’s syndrome.
For more information about trials currently recruiting at our center, please contact Susan Robinson, Research Program Coordinator:
- Email: srobin95@jhmi.edu
- Phone: 410-550-6492
