Sjögren’s disease can overlap with other health conditions, leading some people to receive additional diagnoses. For example, people with Sjögren’s may also have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, sometimes referred to simply as lupus). This is another autoimmune condition that affects the entire body. If you have a second or third coexisting condition, doctors may refer to it as a comorbidity.

About 1 in 6 people with Sjögren’s are later diagnosed with lupus. But sometimes lupus is found first. Research also suggests that 1 in every 3 people with lupus are eventually diagnosed with Sjögren’s.

When present along with lupus, Sjögren’s disease is usually called associated Sjögren’s disease (formerly called secondary Sjögren’s disease). If you suspect that you might have more than one autoimmune disease, here’s what you should know about the relationship between Sjögren’s disease and lupus.

Inflammation as a Common Denominator

Inflammation is a common trait of lupus and Sjögren’s disease. The term “inflammation” refers to an overactive or inappropriate immune response.

The immune system is supposed to protect the body from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses. Normally, your immune system can tell the difference between these invaders and your own healthy cells. But in autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s and lupus, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

The symptoms of Sjögren’s can be similar to those of lupus. Diagnosing lupus can be especially tricky because it affects the body in many ways. As a result, some doctors may have trouble telling the two conditions apart.

Dry eyes and dry mouth are more common in Sjögren’s because it affects the salivary glands and tear glands. Sjögren’s may also cause swollen glands, joint pain, skin rashes, and kidney problems. These are also possible symptoms of lupus.

Fortunately, your rheumatologist can help figure out which condition you’re dealing with. They can also treat both conditions. Your rheumatology team is your best resource for determining whether you have one or both diagnoses.

How Common Is It To Have Both Diseases?

Health experts estimate that up to 14 percent to 18 percent of people with lupus also have Sjögren’s disease, but some studies have noted that up to 23 percent of people with lupus also have Sjögren’s. Certain autoantibodies found in Sjögren’s disease are also seen in people with lupus. Autoantibodies are immune cells that attack the body’s proteins.

There is significant overlap between the antibodies noted in SLE and Sjögren’s disease. Numerous clinical and serological similarities between primary Sjögren’s disease and SLE often make it difficult to distinguish between the disorders. In a comparison of people with SLE who did not have Sjögren’s and those who did, the people with SLE who also had Sjögren’s showed longer disease duration, different symptoms, and late onset of disease.

But just having these antibodies doesn’t mean you definitely have one or both conditions. In fact, there’s no single test to detect lupus or Sjögren’s. Your rheumatologist will need to ask questions about your symptoms. They’ll also ask about your family history and run additional tests before selecting the most accurate diagnosis.

Who Is Most Often Affected?

Doctors aren’t exactly sure what causes Sjögren’s disease. Some researchers suspect that having an infection can trigger the immune system changes that cause the disease. Women are 10 times more likely to get Sjögren’s disease than men, according to the American College of Rheumatology. The usual age of diagnosis is between 45 and 55 years old. Researchers haven’t found any links between the risk of Sjögren’s and where people live or their racial background.

Anyone can get lupus, but it’s also more common for women, according to Cleveland Clinic. The symptoms may start earlier in life, as soon as age 15. Certain ethnicities have higher rates of lupus, including Black and Hispanic people and Native Americans and Pacific Islanders. You have a higher risk of lupus if at least one of your parents has it, and you’re more likely to get lupus if you’re exposed to certain environmental factors, such as certain amounts of sunlight or pollution. Health experts believe smoking or experiencing high stress levels may also trigger lupus.

Treating Sjögren’s Disease and Lupus

Some treatment plans for Sjögren’s and lupus overlap. For example, anything that helps reduce inflammation may help both conditions. There’s no specific diet or exercise plan for people with Sjögren’s or lupus. But living a healthy lifestyle, including getting enough rest and keeping your stress levels down, can help improve your quality of life and lower your risk of complications.

More specific treatments to manage each disease are unique for every person. Even if you have the same condition as someone else, you may experience it differently. Your risk of certain complications may also be different based on your lifestyle and family history. For that reason, your doctor will create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific diagnosis and symptoms.

Managing Symptoms and Complications

Since dryness is the primary symptom in Sjögren’s disease, doctors may recommend artificial tears or anti-inflammatory eye drops to treat dry eyes. If you don’t produce enough saliva, you may need medication to increase saliva. In addition, people with Sjögren’s need to be especially mindful about dental health and eye health. It’s also important to be aware of the risk for potentially serious complications. For instance, in rare cases, having Sjögren’s may increase your risk of developing a type of cancer called lymphoma.

Lupus affects a wider range of body systems. There are different types of lupus, including lupus that only impacts the skin (cutaneous lupus). Dry eye is a possible complication of lupus, but it’s not the most common symptom, as with Sjögren’s. People with lupus are more likely to need treatments to help manage whole-body issues. These may include:

• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Pain
• Skin rashes
• Swelling

People with lupus have a higher risk of several chronic conditions. If you have lupus, your doctor will monitor you for heart disease, kidney disease, osteoporosis (weak bones), and depression.

Drugs That Treat Both Conditions

Pain relievers may be given for both Sjögren’s disease and lupus. Your doctor may recommend corticosteroids, like prednisone. They may also suggest using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like aspirin or ibuprofen, to control your symptoms. These options may be especially important during a flare-up.

Both conditions may also be treated with immunosuppressants. These include hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate. These medications may help control an overactive immune system. Depending on the severity of these conditions and the organs involved, your healthcare team may decide to increase immunosuppressive treatments.

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