PRINTABLE HANDOUTS FOR CLINICIANS

This page lists key handouts you can share with rheumatologists and other clinicians to advocate for better care.

Please read the HANDOUTS FOR CLINICIANS page to learn how to choose and share Sjogren's educational material with your clinicians.

Handouts explaining that Sjogren’s is a serious, systemic disease, never just dryness.

“Sjogren’s Disease” is Formally Adopted by Global Consensus New!
This flyer from the Sjogren's Foundation explains why “Sjogren’s Syndrome” is now "Sjogren's Disease" and why the terms “primary” and “secondary” should discarded. It also demonstrates the systemic nature of Sjogren's.

The Sjogren's Is More Than "Just Sicca" handout and User Guide
Shows how we know, based on scientific evidence, that Sjogren's is a serious, multi-system disease and never limited to sicca. The link to the handout is on the User Guide. Please read the User Guide carefully to understand how to use the handout effectively.

Sjogren's Elevator Pitch Handout
Share with family, friends, and clinicians who may not be familiar with Sjogren's disease. Fill in the diagram to show how Sjogren's impacts you. Have extra copies on hand to share with urgent care providers.

See Why is it so hard to get diagnosed? and MYTHS ABOUT DIAGNOSIS to learn how to advocate for diagnosis, especially if you are SSA-negative and/or do not fulfill the Sjogren's classification criteria.

Please see the DYSAUTONOMIA / POTS page.

Sjogren's Foundation Living with Sjogren's 2021 Patient Survey (U.S.)
This survey documents the loss of quality of life and function experienced by most patients. Because of Sjogren's, 42% have to reduce work hours, and 30% stop working altogether. Large percentages reported Sjogren's impacting on exercise, hobbies, social activities, and travel/ vacations. Thirty-six percent report impact on activities of daily living.
Editorial about Patient Perspective by K. M. Hammitt of the Sjogren's Foundation.
Every rheumatologist, Sjogren's patient, and family member should read this! This article is a great introduction to the struggles patients face with Sjogren's care. (Click on the orange box, "free to view" for the PDF.)

Sjogren's Systemic Clinical Practice Guidelines (Systemic CPGs)
Every rheumatologist and PCP should be given a copy of the Systemic CPGs. These CPGs cover treatment of musculoskeletal pain (joint and muscle pain) and fatigue. They also have a special section that reviews the use of biological therapies such as rituximab. Offer the journal article (next item) with the Systemic CPGs to increase the likelihood that these are taken seriously.

Journal article explaining details of Sjogren's Systemic CPGs
Open access (free) journal article that explains the details of the Systemic CPGs, who made them and the process of creating them. Print out the PDF version to share.

Sjogren's Pulmonary Clinical Practice Guidelines (Pulmonary CPGs)
Every rheumatologist, pulmonologist, and PCP should be given a copy of the pulmonary , along with the journal article (next item), which provides details of how these guidelines were developed. The first page of the summary provides an excellent overview of Sjogren's lung disease. It documents the very high rates of lung disease even in asymptomatic patients. It states the importance of evaluating Sjogren's patients with chronic cough for lung disease.

Open access (free) journal article that details screening, evaluation, and treatment of Sjogren's lung disease.

Sjogren's Oral Clinical Practice Guidelines (Oral CPGs)
Share with dental providers. It may also be helpful for rheumatologists or PCPs if for prescribing secretagogues (salivary stimulants).
Sjogren's Ocular Clinical Practice Guidelines (Ocular CPGs)
Share with ophthalmologists and optometrists. It may also be helpful for rheumatologists or PCPs to understand the treatment of Sjogren's's dry eye disease.

Updated 07-27-2025