Abstract
Sjögren?s syndrome is a multi-system chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized primarily by diminished lacrimal and salivary gland secretion resulting in sicca syndrome. Gastrointestinal involvement is often seen both in primary and secondary Sjögren?s syndrome, being the third most frequent, after sicca syndrome and rheumatologic involvement.
Dysphagia is a common symptom in Sjögren?s syndrome. This is most often due to lack of saliva but there have been also reports of oesophageal dysmotility.
Chronic gastritis is found in up to 80 % Sjögren?s syndrome, which means as much as twice higher when compared with age-matched subjects. The autoimmune mechanism is considered to be the major factor in development of chronic gastritis in Sjögren?s syndrome.
Sjögren?s syndrome can also be associated with coeliac disease, both symptomatic (active) and silent. There is a marked association of Sjögren?s syndrome to primary biliary cirrhosis and chronic active autoimmune hepatitis.