title: [Sjögren' syndrome: a progressive disease].
abstract: Sjögren's syndrome is an auto-immune disease resulting in, among other problems, serious eye and mouth dryness. The course of the disease, especially from an early towards a later phase, is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the symptoms and salivary gland function of Sjögren's syndrome patients, in order to gain insight in the possible progression of the disease. Forty-three patients were followed during a mean period of 3.5 years. Patients with a longer duration of oral symptoms showed more subjective complaints and less salivary flow when compared to patients with recent oral complaints. The differences in both the subjective and objective signs disappeared almost completely during follow-up. From this study it was concluded that Sjögen's syndrome is a progressive disease when diagnosed early. By asking specific questions the dentist can play an important role in early diagnosing the syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Kliniek voor Mondziekten, Kaakchirurgie en Bijzondere Tandheelkunde, Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen, Postbus 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bouma
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pijpe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vissink
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D012472:Salivation; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology
vernacular_title: Het syndroom van Sjögren: een progressief ziektebeeld.