Association du syndrome de Sjögren
Non-profit organization dedicated to meeting the needs and helping people with Sjögren syndrome (pronounced sjeu-greunne). This syndrome is an incurable disease of the immune system that affects between 200,000 and 400,000 Canadians. Nine times out of ten, these are women – typically aged over 40.
Latest News
A Quebec Policy for Rare Diseases
A first in Quebec and Canada On June 6, 2022, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, accompanied by his parliamentary assistant, Marilyne Picard, announced the establishment of thefirst Quebec policy for rare […]
Read more...Membership or renewal
Anyone affected or not, or any organism aware of Sjogren’s syndrome, can join the Association. The more members of the Association, the stronger will be his voice to recognize Sjögren’s syndrome, the limitations it causes […]
Read more...Is It Possible To Have Sjogrens With Normal Blood Tests?
Q: I have terrible dry eyes and mouth, but my blood work is normal. Is it possible to have Sjogren’s syndrome and still have normal blood tests? A: patients can have immune-related Sjogren’s syndrome with […]
Read more...Sjögren's syndrome is a slowly progressive autoimmune inflammatory disease that is associated to a destruction of the exocrine glands (salivary glands) and which can lead to the absence or reduction of secretions in many places in the body.
You will find on this site a wide variety of links providing you with all the relevant information to better understand the syndrome by Sjögren. We also organize self-help group meetings and information sessions for our members, their families and friends . These meetings are currently being held in Montreal.
We publish a bilingual magazine entitled “The Sjögren Bulletin”, which is sent to our members and certain health professionals four times a year. There you will find articles on Sjögren's syndrome, information about our association, useful tips on your self-care and research news.
A word about our logo
This logo was chosen in 1994 by the Sjögren's syndrome group shortly after its formation in Montreal (Quebec), Canada. It was designed by one of our members.
Our logo is shaped like an eye, as it is the site of one of the first symptoms associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Dry eyes are the most common symptom. The dove symbolizes the peace that all people with chronic illness actively seek. The heart represents the compassion we have for all those who suffer from this illness.
Many of us have difficulty adjusting to the health problems associated with Sjogren's syndrome. The members of the association try to bring comfort and help to other people suffering from this disease. The tear symbolizes the hydration required for our dry eyes and other parts of our body.
A first in Quebec and Canada
On June 6, 2022, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Christian Dubé, accompanied by his parliamentary assistant, Marilyne Picard, announced the establishment of thefirst Quebec policy for rare diseases. This aims to optimize accessibility to quality health care and services that are safe, equitable, inclusive and adapted to the specific needs of patients with rare diseases and their families.
The policy, which was the subject of a consultation process involving 24 rare disease organizations, including the Sjögren Syndrome Association as well as others organizations specialized in this sector, is divided into three main axes:
- this involves awareness and training, particularly for health professionals< b>,
- facilitated and equitable access to diagnosis, care and services,
- as well as the promotion of research, innovation and data collection.
Word from the Minister of Health and Social Services
Mr. Christian Dubé, Minister of Health and Social Services.
Rare diseases constitute serious and disabling health problems which can include chronic pain, various forms of deficiency or damage to several organs or systems. There are between 5,000 and 8,000 worldwide, which together affect up to 8% of the population. In Quebec, this represents approximately 700,000 people, affected at different stages of life, sometimes even before birth and into adulthood.
The lack of understanding we have about these diseases in the medical community leads to many challenges for those affected and their families. Among these challenges, note the difficulty of obtaining a diagnosis, treatments, reliable information on the disease or support. Note also that access to services in the region is an additional difficulty for patients living outside major centers. To these issues, it must be added that the very limited number of people suffering from one of these diseases slows down the development of appropriate treatments, or leads to the creation of drugs that remain very expensive and rather inaccessible.
Faced with all these accessibility challenges, we must show solidarity and offer an adequate response to people’s needs. This is why the implementation of this policy is very important to us. These people have the right to have better access to diagnosis, health care and treatment, regardless of their place of residence, their condition or their cultural reality.
Such a policy is a first in Quebec and Canada. Our government recognizes the specific needs of those affected and their families and we ensure that we respond to them in the best possible way. It’s a question of fairness for all, and in this way we are committed to making a lasting difference, with the support of our teams across the network.
Source: Office of the Minister of Health and Social Services (June 6, 2022)