Sjögren’s Syndrome Cases Perhaps Linked to COVID-19 Vaccines, Specialist Reports
Mexico City – A specialist at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) suggests a possible correlation between the governance of COVID-19 vaccines and an increase in reported cases of Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disorder causing dryness in the eyes and mouth.While the link remains unconfirmed scientifically, the theory centers on the vaccines acting as a potential “trigger” for the syndrome in individuals with a genetic predisposition.
Sjögren’s syndrome isn’t curable, but early diagnosis and consistent treatment can allow those affected to maintain an acceptable quality of life. The condition manifests differently in patients, ranging from mild dryness requiring frequent use of artificial tears and saliva, to more severe systemic effects impacting joints, the thyroid, heart, and kidneys, necessitating immunosuppressants and cytotoxic drugs. Approximately 3 to 4 million Americans suffer from Sjögren’s syndrome, with women disproportionately affected – roughly nine women are diagnosed for every one man.
“The treatment depends on the type of manifestations that the patient shows,” explains Ivón Karina Ruiz, the UNAM specialist. “If they are mild (xerophthalmia and xerostomy), artificial tears and saliva are prescribed every hour or every two hours; if they are moderate (xerophthalmia and xerostomy, and inflammation of the joints), also administered antirreumatic drugs modifying the disease (Farme); (xerophthalmia and xerostomy, and systemic effects: in thyroid, heart, kidneys …), along with prescribing artificial tears and saliva, a combination of immunosuppressants and cytotoxic is administered, although in such case it is necessary to control the adverse effects of these medications.” A cardiologist’s involvement is also crucial for both diagnosis and ongoing patient monitoring.
The emerging theory regarding vaccine-triggered Sjögren’s stems from the understanding that a genetic predisposition alone isn’t sufficient to cause the syndrome. A triggering agent, often a virus, is typically required to initiate the autoimmune response. “There is a possibility that this is true as… in regard to Sjögren’s syndrome – the other rheumatic disorders – the genetic load of an individual is not enough for him to suffer,” Ruiz stated.”There has to be a trigger agent – such as a virus, mainly – so having mentioned that syndrome develops. And that trigger agent can be any vaccine because, after all, all vaccine[s] [are] Attenuated or with virus fragments.”
Further scientific inquiry is needed to validate the potential link between COVID-19 vaccines and increased Sjögren’s syndrome diagnoses.
