Do we need new diagnostic criteria for Sjögren's syndrome?

Abstract

Diagnostic and classification criteria for Sjögren's syndrome (SS) continue to evolve as more is learned about SS and about autoimmune diseases in general. Among diagnostic or classification criteria for SS that are in current use, most include various and variable combinations of results from questions about symptoms and objective tests, many of which are not specific to SS. Given the rapid increase of genetic knowledge about other autoimmune diseases and the potential of finding and testing new biological agents to treat SS, selection of patients who have as uniform a disease process as possible becomes an important goal to better understand and treat this prevalent autoimmune disease. Such is the goal and promise of the latest entry into the SS classification criteria field.