What is Sjogren’s disease and how is it managed?

Sjogren’s disease is a multi-system autoimmune condition. Your immune system is designed to identify foreign bodies (e.g. bacteria, viruses), and attack them to keep you healthy. However in the case of Sjogren’s disease, your immune system attacks the glands in your body that make moisture (e.g. tears, saliva). In addition, Sjogren’s disease is associated with a number of co-morbidities that can be classified as extra glandular manifestations and this can include inflammatory arthritis, lupus-like rash, and other organ involvement. This webinar will provide the audience a greater understanding of Sjogren’s disease – what it is, how it is diagnosed and how it is managed.

Our presenter: Associate Professor Alberta Hoi

Associate Professor Alberta Hoi is a rheumatologist, leading lupus expert and translational researcher in Australia. Her research focusses on disease predictors and outcomes, registry design and implementation, quality of care and patient centred interactions. She received her undergraduate medical degree from Melbourne University (1996) and completed a PhD in immunology on a NHMRC scholarship from Monash University. Her current clinical activities include seeing patients at Monash Lupus Clinic, where she serves as the Clinic Head, as well as Complex Rheumatology Clinic at Monash Health, and Autoimmune Clinic at Austin Health. A/Prof Hoi plays an active role in a number of investigator-initiated lupus studies and clinical trials. Currently she is the chair and custodian of the Australian Lupus Registry and is also on the executive committee and a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Lupus Collaboration (APLC).