What is Sjögren's syndrome?

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder primarily characterized by the dysfunction of exocrine glands, which leads to dryness of mucous membranes. This condition typically affects the salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in symptoms like xerostomia (dry mouth) and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes). The autoimmune nature of Sjögren's syndrome means that the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, specifically those responsible for producing moisture.

In addition to these hallmark symptoms, Sjögren's syndrome can occur alone or in conjunction with other autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. This connection contributes to its description as an RA-like disorder, as both conditions share similar immune system involvement and can present with overlapping symptoms, but Sjögren's syndrome is uniquely identified by the specific dryness symptoms it causes.

The other options do not accurately define Sjögren's syndrome. An autoimmune disorder affecting the skin does not encompass the most significant symptoms of Sjögren's, while muscular dystrophy refers to a group of genetic disorders impacting muscle strength and function, irrelevant to the glandular issues seen in Sjögren's. Lastly, while joint pain and stiffness are associated with other rheumatic conditions, they are not defining