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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1094 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1094

  Recognizing the significance of Sjogren's as a serious and systemic 
   autoimmune disease and designating April as ``Sjogren's Awareness 
                                Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 19, 2024

 Mr. Morelle submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                  the Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
  Recognizing the significance of Sjogren's as a serious and systemic 
   autoimmune disease and designating April as ``Sjogren's Awareness 
                                Month''.

Whereas up to 4,000,000 adults in the United States are living with Sjogren's;
Whereas Sjogren's is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the entire 
        body--

    (1) symptoms include extensive dryness throughout the body, including 
the eyes and mouth, profound fatigue, and chronic pain;

    (2) the average age for diagnosis is currently between the ages of 45 
and 55, although Sjogren's can affect all ages; and

    (3) the female-to-male ratio for Sjogren's diagnosis is approximately 
9:1;

Whereas the cause of Sjogren's is not known, and there is no single test to 
        diagnose the autoimmune disease;
Whereas Sjogren's is not easily treated and is primarily palliative, with over-
        the-counter products used to manage dryness symptoms along with off-
        label prescriptions for anti-inflammatory and disease-modifying 
        therapies;
Whereas individuals living with Sjogren's are often subjected to higher out-of-
        pocket costs, in order to afford medications to control inflammation and 
        dryness, relieve joint, muscle and nerve pain, reduce acid reflux due to 
        limited saliva production, and treat the devastating complications of 
        oral and other dryness;
Whereas rheumatologists primarily treat individuals with Sjogren's, a wide 
        variety of specialists are involved, including dentists, neurologists, 
        ocular specialists, otolaryngologists, gastroenterologists, 
        nephrologists, and pulmonologists, among others;
Whereas the physical and psychological impact of Sjogren's can severely affect 
        an individual's duties at home and in the workplace;
Whereas there is a need to update the nomenclature to classify Sjogren's as a 
        disease;
Whereas there is a need for more research to understand the pathology that leads 
        to the autoimmune attack in Sjogren's, including the role of the 
        interplay of the immune and nervous systems;
Whereas clinical trials are underway to test the efficacy of targeted therapies 
        that will address the cause of Sjogren's;
Whereas research is underway to identify genes and environmental influences that 
        may contribute to understanding who is susceptible to Sjogren's; and
Whereas more research is needed to identify new therapies to help individuals 
        with Sjogren's manage the symptoms and complications as they age: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of Sjogren's as a serious 
        health issue that causes a significant health burden;
            (2) encourages the Department of Health and Human Services 
        and relevant agencies--
                    (A) to identify new areas of research to improve 
                the understanding of the causes and identify biomarkers 
                that will help with patient stratification and 
                diagnosis, disease management, and development of 
                targeted therapies for Sjogren's patients;
                    (B) to better quantify the number of patients 
                suffering from Sjogren's as many are believed to be 
                undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed;
                    (C) to update and disseminate literature on 
                Sjogren's to public health professionals to increase 
                awareness for the condition; and
                    (D) to build awareness among physicians and 
                communities in underserved areas so that patients are 
                diagnosed correctly and obtain needed care.
                                 <all>
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