What Causes Sjögren’s Disease and Who Is at Risk?

Many people want to know why they developed Sjögren’s disease. The honest answer is that researchers do not yet know the exact cause. But they have learned a lot about what goes wrong in the body and who is most likely to be affected.¹

What happens in the body

Sjögren’s is an autoimmune disease. Normally, your immune system protects you from infection and disease. With Sjögren’s, the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs instead of germs.^1,2

In Sjögren’s, the immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. This attack causes inflammation that damages the glands. Damaged glands cannot make enough of the fluids that keep the eyes and mouth moist. In some cases, the immune system also attacks other parts of the body, damaging other organs and tissues. That is why symptoms can reach far beyond dryness.¹

The role of genes and environment

Researchers believe Sjögren’s is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors:^1-3,5

• Genes – Studies have linked Sjögren’s to changes in several genes. Many of these genes are involved in immunity. Researchers believe variations in many genes each affect the risk, but no single gene change has been confirmed as the cause.
• Environment – Scientists think something in the environment may trigger the disease. One possible trigger is a previous infection with a virus or bacteria.

In short, certain genes can put a person at higher risk. But it appears a trigger is also needed to set the disease in motion.⁴

Does Sjögren’s run in families?

Because genes play a role, you may wonder if Sjögren’s is passed down. A tendency to develop autoimmune disorders can be passed through generations in a family. Relatives of people with Sjögren’s have a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases. But they are not necessarily more likely to develop Sjögren’s itself. How this tendency is inherited is not fully understood.⁵

Who is at risk?

Sjögren’s can affect anyone, but it is far more common in some groups than others. Known risk factors include:^1,3,4,6

• Sex – Women are much more likely to develop Sjögren’s. About 9 of every 10 people diagnosed are women.
• Age – Most people are diagnosed when they are older than 40, most often in their 40s and 50s. Still, the disease can start at any age.
• Another autoimmune disease – It is common for people with Sjögren’s to also have a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Sjögren’s in men, children, and across groups

While most people diagnosed are women in midlife, Sjögren’s is not limited to them:^1,6

• Men – Men can and do get Sjögren’s, and a larger male population is being recognized.
• Children – A growing number of people are being diagnosed under age 18.
• All backgrounds – The disease can be diagnosed in people of all ages, races, and genders.

If Sjögren’s does not match the “typical” picture in your case, that does not mean you do not have it. Anyone with ongoing symptoms deserves a careful look.

Talk to your doctor

Sjögren’s comes from a mix of genes and environmental triggers. These are factors you cannot control, so you did not bring this disease on yourself. If you have symptoms or questions about your risk, talk to your doctor. Understanding your risk can help you get answers sooner.²