Overlapping Diseases

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease  is a disease of the thyroid gland due to autoimmunity in which the patient's immune system attacks and damages their thyroid. Graves disease and Hashimoto thyroiditis are forms of autoimmune thyroid disease.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 23% of respondents reported having  both an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and Sjögren's.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease manifested mostly in the joints but it is also associated with extraarticular complications such as Sjögren’s as an overlap disease. Conversely, the opposite is also true where Sjögren’s can have rheumatoid arthritis as an overlapping disease. Patients with Sjögren’s often have a positive rheumatoid factor test without having rheumatoid arthritis thus clinical correlation needs to be done to see if there is a secondary inflammatory arthritis.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 21% of respondents reported having both RA and Sjögren's.

Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling, and damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs. 

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The word “scleroderma” comes from two Greek words: “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflux (GERD) is a condition in which the muscle tone in the wall of the esophagus is reduced, gastric juice moves up the esophagus, producing a burning sensation behind the breastbone (heartburn) and chest pain.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 45% of respondents reported having both GERD and Sjögren's.

Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a painful condition that results in color changes of the fingers and toes. In cold temperatures, the blood vessels in the skin and digits normally contract and divert blood to essential organs. However, in RP the contraction of blood vessels in the skin and digits becomes exaggerated.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 38% of respondents reported having both Raynaud's and Sjögren's.

Neuropathies are diseases that compromise the structure and function of peripheral nerves. Peripheral Neuropathy is commonly associated with Sjögren's, and is a predominantly sensory neuropathy. Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy include numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 38% of respondents reported having both Neuropathies and Sjögren's.

Sinusitis is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 33% of respondents reported having both Sinusitis and Sjögren's.

Hypertension  a condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high. Usually hypertension is defined as blood pressure above 140/90, and is considered severe if the pressure is above 180/120. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 31% of respondents reported having both Hypertension and Sjögren's.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder characterized by a change in bowel habits in the absence of any other mechanical or inflammatory process.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 31% of respondents reported having both IBS and Sjögren's.

Fibromyalgia is a non-autoimmune disorder of undetermined origin characterized by widespread muscle and joint pain, and not arising from known inflammatory, infectious or degenerative causes. It is one of the most common rheumatic disorders.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 29% of respondents reported having both Fibromyalgia and Sjögren's.

Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body's tissues. Having anemia can make you feel tired and weak. There are many forms of anemia, each with its own cause. Anemia can be temporary or long term, and it can range from mild to severe.

In a Sjögren's Foundation survey, 17% of respondents  reported having  both anemia and Sjögren's.