Sjögren's syndrome--implications for perioperative practice

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disorder in which lymphocytes invade the exocrine glands, leading to destruction of the glandular tissue. Systemic inflammation also may occur and involve multiple organs. Ninety percent of patients with SS are female, Caucasian, and middle-aged. The characteristic symptoms of xerostomia and xerophthalmia often are trivialized, and the disorder is significantly underdiagnosed. Early diagnosis and management can prevent devastating oral and ocular complications and internal organ damage. Treatment modalities are aimed at providing comfort and preventing complications and progression of the disease. In the perioperative practice setting, nurses play an important role in the health care team involved in providing surgical care to patients with SS.