A number of conditions can cause signs and symptoms that may mimic Sjogren's syndrome. It is important to evaluate a patient for these disorders prior to making the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome.
Conditions that should be excluded prior to making the diagnosis of Sjogren's disease:
(1) irradiation of the head and neck
(2) viral hepatitis C
(3) acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
(4) pre-existing malignant lymphoma
(5) sarcoidosis
(6) transplant with graft vs host disease (GVHD)
(7) therapy with an anticholinergic drug within 4 half-lives for the drug
(8) amyloidosis
Features of Sjogren's Syndrome |
Other Autoimmune Disease |
Exclusion Condition |
Diagnosis |
present |
absent |
absent |
primary Sjogren's |
present |
present |
absent |
secondary Sjogren's |
present |
absent |
present |
pseudo-Sjogren's |
where:
• An occasional patient with primary or secondary Sjogren's syndrome may have one or more of the exclusion conditions. The diagnosis may be difficult and rely on the pattern of autoantibodies.
• IgG4-related disease needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Purpose: To identify conditions that must be excluded before the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome can be made with confidence.
Specialty: Immunology/Rheumatology
Objective: imaging studies, laboratory tests, criteria for diagnosis, differential diagnosis and mimics, red flags
ICD-10: M35.0,