It is difficult to pronounce and hard to spell.
Sjögren’s syndrome is a disorder of the immune system which causes dry eyes and a dry mouth. 
Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a progressive autoimmune disorder that prompts the immune system to attack glands that produce saliva and tears.
It may lead to sicca, a condition characterized by dryness of the mouth, eyes, sometimes the skin and even, among women, the vagina.
Previous studies have shown that people with Sjögren’s disease are at higher risk of dental infections, oral mucosal infections, tooth cavities and alterations of the oral microbe population
Sjögren’s syndrome may cause tooth decay when severe dryness causes an infection called oral Candida, a type of yeast.
Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome also have more filled tooth surfaces due to cavities, according to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
The study found a link between patients’ overall eye and oral Sicca Symptoms Inventory (SSI) scores and the number of filled tooth surfaces.
The SSI consists of a questionnaire that evaluates the severity of sicca symptoms in four areas: oral, eye, skin and vaginal dryness. The higher the score, the more severe the sicca symptoms.
The connection between SSI scores and filled tooth suggests that patients with more cavities may have oral sicca symptoms.
The study also found that the mean overall SSI score of Sjögren’s syndrome patients were higher than those of healthy people.
The study looked at the connections between sicca symptoms, saliva production, oral health conditions and the presence of oral Candida among patients with Sjögren’s syndrome.
It covered 85 participants with the disorder, nearly all women (with just two men) aged 50 years on the average.
Among the patients, 38 had the primary form of the condition. That is, they do not have another major rheumatic and/or autoimmune disease.
At the same time, 47 had the secondary form associated with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
SSI scores were higher among those with Sjögren’s syndrome. The most common symptoms were eye irritation (93 percent), dry throat or nose (88 percent) and need of fluid for mouth wetting (88 percent), dry or itchy skin (87 percent) and difficulty in eating (86 percent).
Saliva production, both unstimulated and stimulated, was lower in Sjögren’s syndrome patients than in healthy people. Overall, higher eye and oral SSI scores were associated with lower saliva production.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the UE College of Dentistry, former Dean of the College of Dentistry, National University, past president and honorary fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy, and honorary fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists. Honorary Life Member of Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515./WDJ