Title:Otorhinolaryngological Manifestations in Sjogren Syndrome
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Author(s): Diletta Angeletti, Giannicola Iannella, Andrea Ciofalo, Massimo Re, Rocco Plateroti, Pasquale Plateroti, Benedetta Pasquariello, Alessandra Manno, Dario Didona and Giuseppe Magliulo*
Affiliation:
- Organi di Senso Department University, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico, 151 – 00161, Rome,Italy
Keywords:
Autoimmune disease, sjogren's syndrome, xerostomia, xerophthalmia, parotid gland, salivary gland swelling, dry
eye.
Abstract: Background: Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) is the second most common autoimmune
rheumatic disease after rheumatoid arthritis and affects approximately 1 to 3% of the population.
Most patients affected by Sjogren's syndrome manifest otorhinolaryngological involvement, such as
glandular, ocular, oral, otological, pharyngeal, laryngeal and sinonasal symptoms.
Objective: The aim of this article is to emphasize the otorhinolaryngological manifestations of SS.
Since otorhinolaryngologists are often the first practitioners to detect the symptoms, a complete and
careful ENT examination should be performed in all the patients suspected to have this syndrome.
Conclusion: To date, there is no straight forward and reliable diagnostic test for Sjögren's syndrome.
Its diagnosis can be difficult because the signs and symptoms vary widely and sometimes are similar
to those caused by other diseases. Hence, it is important to identify conditions with similar patterns in
order to make a correct diagnosis, begin the appropriate therapy, determine a proper follow-up and
ensure a good quality of life.
