Challenges of current diagnostic criteria and future screening methods

Athena Papas, DMD, PhD, is the Erling Johansen Professor of Research, the Co-Head of Geriatric Dentistry, and the Director of the Oral Medicine Department at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Papas has published numerous research papers based on her extensive clinical experience in Geriatric Dentistry, Sjögren's Syndrome, medically compromised patients, and xerostomia. At the December 2013 meeting, Dr. Papas discussed research updates and oral concerns and challenges of Sjögren's in her presentation titled, "Living with the Oral Complications of Sjögren's Syndrome."

Dr. Papas began her presentation with a short, educational video, "Does your patient have Sjögren's Syndrome?" released for dentists. The following is a brief description of Sjögren's taken from this video:

"Although hallmark symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth, Sjögren's may also cause dysfunction of other organs such as kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. Patients may also experience extreme fatigue and joint pain and about ten percent of patients develop lymphoma of their salivary glands. All instances of Sjögren's are systemic, affecting the entire body."

Sjögren's can exist alone, as a primary condition, or with another connective or autoimmune tissue disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and other conditions.