The Link Between Sjögren’s Syndrome and PBC

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks the bile ducts in the liver. PBC can put you at higher risk for other health issues, including Sjögren’s Syndrome.³

Why does PBC increase the risk of Sjögren’s?

The answer lies in how autoimmune conditions operate and affect the body over time. Because your immune system is already prone to attacking your own tissues, having one autoimmune condition significantly raises your chances of developing another.¹

When your liver isn't functioning at its absolute best, it also alters your body's overall chemical balance. This chemical imbalance can open the door to other health complications and related conditions down the road.¹

How is Sjögren’s different from PBC?

Like PBC, Sjögren’s is an autoimmune disorder. But it targets your moisture-making glands instead of the liver. Specifically, the immune system attacks the glands that produce tears and saliva. This leads to the two hallmark symptoms: intensely dry eyes and a very dry mouth, sometimes known as the "sicca complex."^1,3,4
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While it primarily affects moisture glands, Sjögren’s can also cause joint pain, skin rashes, and vaginal dryness. Because saliva helps protect your teeth, a lack of it can also make people more prone to dental cavities and oral yeast infections.⁴

To help manage these everyday challenges, your doctor might recommend using eye drops or artificial saliva. For women, they also might recommend a vaginal moisturizer.¹

How common is Sjögren’s with PBC?

If you are managing both of these conditions, you are far from alone in your journey. Sjögren’s is actually the most common autoimmune disease linked to PBC. In fact, medical research shows that around 1 in 3 people with PBC will also develop Sjögren’s.¹

Much like PBC itself, Sjögren's syndrome is diagnosed most frequently in women. Additionally, people are typically over the age of 40 at the time they are diagnosed with this condition.^3,4

How does having both affect my prognosis?

Managing two conditions can understandably impact your overall health outlook and long-term prognosis.

People with both PBC and Sjögren's have a higher chance of developing advanced fibrosis, which is a severe scarring of the liver. People with PBC and Sjögren's also may experience shorter average survival times compared to those who solely have PBC, research has suggested.²

Medical studies have also found that people dealing with both PBC and Sjögren's often have different blood test results compared to those with only PBC. For example, they may have lower levels of albumin, a vital protein, as well as lower blood platelets.²

Could future research lead to better treatments?

While this information can feel daunting, researchers continue to study these combined conditions through clinical trials to find better, targeted treatments.²

Staying closely connected with your healthcare team can help you proactively manage your symptoms. Together, you can work to monitor your condition and long-term health.