CHALLENGES OF DENTAL MANAGEMENT OF SJOGREN’S SYNDROME IN A NIGERIAN PATIENT: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Dental management of Sjogren’s syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sjögren’s syndrome is a slowly progressive 
inflammatory disorder that involves the exocrine glands (lacrimal 
glands and salivary glands) leading to the dryness of the eyes and 
mouth. It is a rare condition that is seen commonly in females of the 
middle age.  

OBJECTIVE: To present challenges encountered during the 
management of oral symptoms in a patient with Sjögren’s syndrome.  
CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old female Nigerian Patient who 
presented with bilateral facial swelling with complaint of dry eyes, 
dry mouth, and knee joint pain. Investigations done using 
sialography with contrast medium of the left parotid and Schirmer’s 
test of both eyes were diagnostic of Sjögren’s syndrome. Proper 
treatment could not be instituted until about one year after the 
patient’s initial presentation due to the non-availability of the 
required medications in the country.  
CONCLUSION: Poor access to the recommended medications for 
the treatment of patients with Sjogren’s syndrome poses a challenge 
to the clinician, rendering such patients helpless and unsatisfied.