Diagnosis:

Sjogren's syndrome is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are also characteristic of other diseases. Also, no two people with Sjogren's have exactly the same symptoms.

If your doctor suspects you may have Sjögren's, blood tests can determine if you have markers (autoantibodies) of the disease. However, these tests are not reliable enough to confirm the diagnosis by themselves.

Certain tests can determine the amount of lubrication your body's glands are producing. A Schirmer test uses a small piece of filter paper placed under the lower eyelid. A slit-lamp examination involves placing a drop of dye into the eye and examining the eye with a special instrument. A salivary-function test measures the amount of dryness in the mouth. Your dentist or oral surgeon also may do a lip biopsy to examine minor salivary glands. In a biopsy, a small piece of tissue is removed and examined in a laboratory.