Persistent dry eyes and mouth for over three months? It could be Sjogren’s syndrome

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If you’ve been experiencing dry eyes and a parched throat for more than three months, don’t be too quick to blame the weather. Especially when dryness affects both the eyes and mouth, it may be a sign of Sjogren’s syndrome — an autoimmune disease that requires lifelong management.

According to Kim Se-hee, a professor of rheumatology at Kyung Hee University Hospital in Gangdong District, Seoul, Sjogren’s syndrome occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own exocrine glands, such as salivary and tear glands.

“The number of patients seeking treatment for Sjogren’s syndrome rose from 21,282 in 2019 to 30,051 in 2023, marking an increase of about 41 percent,” Kim said, citing data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. “It is most common among women in their 50s and 60s, who accounted for more than half of all cases in 2023.”

When asked why the condition affects mostly middle-aged women, Kim said the reason lies in hormonal changes. “There is a strong link between sex hormones and the disease. It tends to develop more frequently in the perimenopausal stage, when levels of estrogen and progesterone decline,” Kim said. “Studies have shown that greater lifetime exposure to reproductive hormones reduces the risk of developing Sjogren’s syndrome. One supporting finding is that breast cancer patients using aromatase inhibitors, which suppress estrogen production, are more likely to develop the disease.”

Kim explained that Sjogren’s syndrome presents a wide range of symptoms throughout the body, but dry eyes and mouth are its most common signs. “Reduced saliva production makes it difficult to swallow dry foods and talk for long periods. Patients often report a burning sensation in the mouth and altered sense of taste,” Kim said. “As for the eyes, reduced tear production causes a gritty feeling, eye discomfort and increases the risk of keratitis or conjunctivitis. Activities that reduce blinking, such as prolonged reading or computer use, can worsen symptoms. It may also lead to pancreatic dysfunction and hypochlorhydria due to impaired secretion in the digestive system.”

The syndrome is often accompanied by other complications. “About 70 to 80 percent of patients report fatigue. Some also develop arthritis, annular erythema on the skin and interstitial pneumonia,” Kim said. “Mothers with certain antibodies may pass neonatal lupus syndrome to their babies, which can be detected through fetal echocardiography. This syndrome can cause inflammation in multiple organs such as the heart and lungs.”

Although there is currently no cure for Sjogren’s syndrome, symptoms can be managed in daily life. “Avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking to relieve oral dryness. Drinking water frequently and consuming sugar-free candy can help,” Kim said. “For eye dryness, wearing protective eyewear on dry, windy days and taking regular breaks during activities that reduce blinking is recommended.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.