Edited by: Daniel J. Wallace, M.D.
This is the definitive book on Sjogren’s syndrome, a condition affecting up to
four million Americans. Sjogren’s is the second most common autoimmune rheumatic
disease.

Sjogren’s syndrome occurs when white blood cells attack moisture
producing areas of the body, particularly the tear ducts and the salivary
glands.

Sjogren’s syndrome is typically misunderstood as being limited to dry eyes and
dry mouth when in fact, for many patients, it is a systemic ailment that can
cause significant impairment. Occasionally, it can even be fatal. And it is not
limited to elderly women; people of either gender can develop Sjogren’s, and
patients are now being diagnosed in their teens and twenties. That is why it is
so important to have a comprehensive book on the various manifestations of
Sjogren’s that can be referred to both by patients and their doctors. It is of
great help in calling attention to the significance of this illness without
causing undue fear of the most serious but rare symptoms.

The contributions of respected rheumatologists, dentists, opthalmologists,
psychiatrists, pathologists and other medical professionals from around the
world assure a wealth of valuable information. For the uninitiated patient,
there is a glossary of terms at the back to help with the more technical
articles. For medical professionals, there are chapters that go into great
detail about the disease process and the latest theories as to possible causes
of Sjogren’s.

In addition to the technical material, there are chapters addressing patient
concerns such as day-to-day coping, disability, and how close medical science is
to finding a cure. There are also chapters detailing the difference between
primary and secondary Sjogren’s, lists of symptoms and signs, treatment options
and which diseases are the most likely to co-exist with Sjogren’s. The scariest
manifestations of Sjogren’s such as lymphoma, vasculitis, pulmonary
hypertension, primary biliary cirrhosis and kidney failure are also in here with
proper emphasis on their relative rarity in the course of the disease.

One of the biggest frustrations of having a systemic ailment is that no doctor
can tell you 100 percent what to expect. No two patients have the same
experience or severity of illness. I find it comforting that, if I experience a
new symptom at 3am, I can refer to my handbook to see if it could be caused by
Sjogren’s and get an idea whether it warrants an emergency call or if it can
wait until business hours.

I recommend this book for patients with primary or secondary Sjogren’s, those in
the medical profession, or those who know someone with Sjogren’s. It takes a lot
of mystery out of the illness and will reassure patients with unusual symptoms
who were beginning to doubt themselves. And the information within could quiet
those who claim Sjogren’s is no big deal.