This forum is for questions about medical issues and research aspects of
Hepatitis C such as, questions about being newly diagnosed, questions about current treatments, information and participation in discussions about research studies and clinical trials related to Hepatitis. If you would like to communicate with other people who have been touched by Hepatitis, please visit our new
Hepatitis Social/Living with Hepatitis forum
The cause is unknown.
There are many and very varied symptoms. It is an autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue rheumatologic conditon.
There are a variety of treatments, some are dependent on the particular symptoms being exhibited. Not the same for everyone.
For more information see www.sjogrens.netfirms.com
Glossary of Common Conditions Linked to Hepatitis C
Sjogren's Syndrome - Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder. The syndrome occurs by itself or can, and often does, occur with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus, ploymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and other lesser known rheumatic autoimmune diseases. In Sjogren's syndrome, the immune system produces lymphocytes (white blood cells) that produce self-reactive proteins called autoantibodies which attack the tear, salivary, and other moisture producing glands, thus destroying the glands and their ability to produce moisture. Many parts of the body can be affected by Sjogren's syndrome, such as the lungs, brain, nerves, joints, kidneys, thyroid, and liver. In the majority of cases, the autoimmune response is confined to the tear ducts, salivary glands, and vagina.
http://www.hcvinprison.org/cms/images/stories/hcvinprison/docs/newsletters/Jan-Feb_2002.pdf