Mimics of Sjögren’s syndrome

Abstract Systemic diseases, which affect salivary and lacrimal glands, can cause dry eyes and mouth and swelling of the affected glands and may present in a similar way to SS. There may also be overlapping extra-glandular, laboratory, and imaging features, which can pose a diagnostic challenge. Certain diseases affecting salivary and lacrimal glands such as sarcoidosis, IgG4-related disease, chronic hepatitis C virus, HIV infections, and graft-versus-host disease can mimic Sjögren’s syndrome, usually via a process of similar inflammation of affected glands. This chapter will focus on these diseases. When evaluating a patient with suspected primary Sjögren’s syndrome it is important to rule out its differential diagnoses. Biopsy of the major or minor salivary gland or of the lacrimal glands may sometimes be needed to reach a final diagnosis.