IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1094 

Recognizing the significance of Sjo ̈gren’s as a serious and systemic 

autoimmune disease and designating April as ‘‘Sjo ̈gren’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 Sjo ̈gren’s as a serious and 

systemic autoimmune disease and designating April as 

‘‘Sjo ̈gren’s Awareness Month’’. 

Whereas up to 4,000,000 adults in the United States are living with Sjo ̈gren’s; 

Whereas Sjo ̈gren’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 Sjo ̈gren’s can affect all ages; and 

(3) the female-to-male ratio for Sjo ̈gren’s diagnosis 

is approximately 9:1; 


ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 1094 IH 

Whereas the cause of Sjo ̈gren’s is not known, and there is 

no single test to diagnose the autoimmune disease; 

Whereas Sjo ̈gren’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 Sjo ̈gren’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 

Sjo ̈gren’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 Sjo ̈gren’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 Sjo ̈gren’s as a disease; 

Whereas there is a need for more research to understand the 

pathology that leads to the autoimmune attack in 

Sjo ̈gren’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 

Sjo ̈gren’s; 


ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 1094 IH 

Whereas research is underway to identify genes and environmental influences that may contribute to understanding 

who is susceptible to Sjo ̈gren’s; and 

Whereas more research is needed to identify new therapies to 

help individuals with Sjo ̈gren’s manage the symptoms 

and complications as they age: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the importance of Sjo ̈gren’s as a 

3 serious health issue that causes a significant health 

4 burden; 

5 (2) encourages the Department of Health and 

6 Human Services and relevant agencies— 

7 (A) to identify new areas of research to 

8 improve the understanding of the causes and 

9 identify biomarkers that will help with patient 

10 stratification and diagnosis, disease manage11 ment, and development of targeted therapies for 

12 Sjo ̈gren’s patients; 

13 (B) to better quantify the number of pa14 tients suffering from Sjo ̈gren’s as many are be15 lieved to be undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed; 

16 (C) to update and disseminate literature 

17 on Sjo ̈gren’s to public health professionals to 

18 increase awareness for the condition; and 

19 (D) to build awareness among physicians 

20 and communities in underserved areas so that 


ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
4 

•HRES 1094 IH 

1 patients are diagnosed correctly and obtain 

2 needed care. 

Æ 


ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS