Sicca syndromes in the elderly
Gentric, A.
La Revue du Praticien 51(2): 177-180
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-2640 PMID: 11252944 Document Number: 528934
Sicca syndromes, especially salivary sicca syndromes, are prevalent in the elderly. Even, in the absence of local complications, they can impair the quality of life and lead to denutrition. Drugs are essentially responsible for these sicca syndromes. Paraclinic investigations (tests for autoimmunity, biopsy of minor salivary glands) are useful when uncommon Sjögren syndrome is hypothesized. This autoimmune disease, probably rare in the elderly, has to be suspected when general manifestations are present. The treatment of sicca syndromes is based on the reduction of drug prescriptions and on local care.