title: Illness Experiences in Women with Oral Dryness as a Result of Sjögren's Syndrome: The Patient Point of View.
abstract: Sjögren's syndrome and the associated dryness can have multiple consequences. The aim of the present qualitative study was to give an in-depth account of the life experiences of women with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and health-related behaviours, and to summarize these experiences in an integrated model.
  
  
  
  Twelve women diagnosed with pSS who regularly attended the Hospital of the University of Chile participated in detailed interviews. The data were analysed using qualitative methods based on the principles of grounded theory.
  
  
  
  Selective coding identified three categories: illness experience, social interaction and psychological response. An integrated model was developed connecting these dynamic aspects and suggesting how they could lead to a life cycle crisis in cases of maladjustment. We found that problem-solving strategies, reconstruction of identity, acceptance and a social support may prevent this life cycle crisis.
  
  
  
  Xerostomia and other consequences of pSS can have a profound influence on daily life. However, the severity of the consequences depends on individual experiences with the illness, social influences and the psychological responses of the patient. Physicians, dentists and other healthcare professionals can help the patient by listening to their problems and exploring solutions based on a psychological approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.|Behavioral Science Area, Institute for Research in Dental Science, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rojas-Alcayaga
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Science Area, Institute for Research in Dental Science, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrera Ronda
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Espinoza Santander
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Science Area, Institute for Research in Dental Science, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bustos Reydet
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Science Area, Institute for Research in Dental Science, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Matías
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ríos Erazo
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wurmann
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sabugo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rinie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Geenen
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment
keywords: Sjögren's Syndrome; health experiences; oral dryness