Illness Experiences in Women with Oral Dryness as a Result of Sjögren’s Syndrome: The Patient Point of View

Abstract

Sjögren’s syndrome and the associated dryness can have multiple consequences. The aim of the presentqualitative study was to give an in-depth account of the life experiences of women with primary Sjögren’ssyndrome (pSS) and health-related behaviours, and to summarize these experiences in an integrated model. Methods: Twelve women diagnosed with pSS who regularly attended the Hospital of the University of Chile participated in detailed interviews. The data were analysed using qualitative methods based on the principles of grounded theory.