Drying syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly affects the endocrine gland (especially the salivary gland and the adrenal gland) and is clinically manifested mainly in oral, ocular and multiple systemic conditions. Depending on whether it is combined with other connective tissue disorders, it is divided into congenital drying syndrome and post-concussion drying syndrome. The disease is most common in middle-aged women and can occur at any age, with a female-to-male ratio of about 9:1.
The exact cause of the dry syndrome is unknown, resulting from a combination of genetic susceptibility, viral infections (EB virus, hepatitis C virus, etc. ) and immune abnormalities. In patients, B cells are abnormally activated, producing multiple autoantibodies (anti-SSA antibodies, anti-SSB antibodies, etc.
), lymphocytes inject salivary glands, salivary glands, and other secretion glands, causing damage to the glands and decreased secretion; they can also inject organs such as the lungs, liver, and blood vessels, causing systemic damage. Typical symptoms of dry eye syndrome are dry mouth: mouth dryness, frequent drinking of water, difficulty swallowing, increased swelling, tooth decay; dry eyes (eye dryness, abnormal sensations, burning sensations, fear of light, decreased urine, severe coronary artery disease); nasal, throat, skin, vaginal dryness; systemic symptoms include: joint pain (more commonly known as non-eroding multi-joint pain), fatigue, low fever; kidney toxicity, low uric acid, cough, cough, shortness of breath; narrowing of the gastrointestinal tract; inflammation of the stomach, liver, and pancreatitis); Blood system (reduction of white blood cells, reduction of platelets); nervous system (disinfection of the surrounding nerves); vascular inflammation, etc. Some patients may have combined lymphomas, and lymph nodes need to be wary of continuous growth.
Diagnosis of dry syndrome is combined with clinical symptoms; laboratory examination and lipoplasty. Laboratory examination: anti-SSA antibodies; anti-SSB antibodies; anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are positive; rheumatoid arthritis is positive; gland functional examination; salivary secretion tests; corneal chromosomes); salivary gland functional examination; salivary flow rate; gland imaging; lipoplasty testing is an important basis for diagnosis. The diagnosis needs to be combined with oral dryness symptoms, objective examination, self-antibody and lip gland pathology comprehensive judgement.
Drying syndrome is currently unable to be eradicated and is targeted to alleviate symptoms and complications. Treatment of oral dryness is counterproductive: artificial analgesia, point blisters alleviate eye dryness; drinking plenty of water, using saliva replacements; using sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva secretion; maintaining oral hygiene. Long-term management focuses on regular follow-up, monitoring of systemic burden and complications.
Patients should pay attention to oral care, regular oral, dental checkups, eye care, indoor humidity, avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, adding to the dryness factors, and avoiding unknown causes such as fever, lymphatic constipation, and weight loss. Most patients are stable and long-term quality of life remains.
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