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The goals of treatment for Sjogren's syndrome include:

• Controlling the symptoms
• Preventing or limiting organ involvement
• Improving the patient's quality of daily life

Treatment for Sjogren's syndrome varies from patient to patient depending upon which symptoms need to be addressed. It is important to always be vigilant regarding the development of any secondary infections related to the absence of the antibacterial properties of normal exocrine secretions. Patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome and cryoglobulinemia (presence of cryoglobulins in the blood) may require closer monitoring and management since some studies indicate a relationship between cryoglobulinemia and a higher risk for serious complications.

To read more in-depth information about current and prospective therapies for Sjogren's syndrome, please click on the following link: http://www.medifocus.com/abstracts.php?gid=RH011&ID=17714766

In general, there are two types of treatments for Sjogren's syndrome:

• Local, palliative measures and medications that focus specifically on the sicca syndrome (dry mouth and dry eyes)
• Systemic treatments in which medications are used to address severe sicca symptoms and wider systemic involvement. These medications, discussed in more detail below, include:
  • antinflammatory agents
  • immunosuppressive drugs
  • biological agents or immunomodifying drugs