[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E342-E343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           SJOGREN'S SYNDROME

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 10, 1998

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to a 
largely unrecognized and undiagnosed disease in our nation: Sjogren's 
Syndrome.
  The month of March has been designated as Sjogren's Syndrome 
Awareness Month. Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder 
characterized by excessively dry mouth and eyes, although all of the 
body's glands that excrete sweat, saliva or oil can be affected. About 
half of all those affected experience Sjogren's Syndrome in connection 
with another disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or 
scleroderma.
  An estimated four million Americans currently suffer with Sjogren's 
Syndrome, making it the most common autoimmune disorder in the United 
States according to the October 1997 International Symposium on 
Sjogren's Syndrome. The vast majority of Sjogren's patients are women 
and often go undiagnosed.
  Tragically, Sjogren's Syndrome is incurable. The causes of this 
disorder have not yet been discovered, although scientists suspect a 
combination of infectious, hormonal and genetic factors aggravated by 
stress. Some basic steps can be taken to alleviate the symptoms of 
Sjogren's, but they are far from a cure.
  The Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation is fighting to raise awareness and 
fund research into a cure, but they face a long road. I am proud to 
receive their 1998 Award for Exceptional Public Health Initiatives for 
my sponsorship of H.R. 306, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination 
in Health Insurance Act. I hope my colleagues will join the Sjogren's 
Syndrome Foundation in working to raise awareness, educate our 
constituents, and work toward a cure for this devastating disorder.

[[Page E343]]



                          ____________________