PGCEE MDS 2022: Sicca complex is associated with:

 # Sicca complex is associated with:

A. Primary Sjogren’s syndrome

B. Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome

C. Peutz Jeghers syndrome

D. Plummer Vinson Syndrome

The correct answer is A. Primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Primary Sjogren's syndrome (Sicca complex)

- When the disease affects only salivary and lacrimal glands without other co-existing systemic autoimmune diseases, it is called primary Sjogren's syndrome or Sicca complex. Primary Sjogren's syndrome is also referred to as "sicca syndrome" in which dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia or keratoconjunctivitis sicca) are the principal features. 

Secondary Sjogren's syndrome 

Secondary sjogren's syndrome characteristically has xerostomia, xerophthalmia and an associated autoimmune connective tissue disease, usually the rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, scleroderma, polyarteritis nodosa etc. Patients with sicca complex and Sjogren's syndrome have sera antisalivary duct antibody. In addition, They are found to be associated with the HLA system, specifically HLA-DR3 and HLA-B8 which are associated with primary form of the disease and HLA-DRw52 is seen to be associated with both the forms of Sjogren's syndrome.