Introduction: History of Sjögren's Syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a complex disorder characterized by both organ-specific and systemic manifestations, potentially expanding to lymphoproliferative complications. In addition to presenting as primary or secondary disease, SS can occur in association with organ-specific autoimmune diseases, as well as in overlapping complex entities with the major connective tissue diseases. Over the years, SS has been described first as an organ-specific disorder involving salivary and lachrymal glands, and then as a systemic autoimmune disease displaying significant extraglandular manifestations. In this chapter we review the crucial steps in the history of SS.