Venus Williams: What is Sjögren's syndrome?

A concise guide to the incurable autoimmune disease that afflicts the tennis superstar — and some 4 million other Americans

Tennis superstar Venus Williams dropped out of the U.S. Open this week due to her Sjogren's syndrome diagnosis -- an autoimmune disease that affects 4 million Americans.
(Image credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Tennis fans worldwide were stunned when top player Venus Williams abruptly dropped out of the U.S. Open this week. The reason for her sudden withdrawal was a diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome, a little-known disease with a wide range of symptoms. Here, a brief guide to this condition:

What is Sjögren's syndrome?

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Who is most at risk for Sjögren's syndrome?

The disease affects some four million Americans — 90 percent of whom are women. Symptoms usually appear when people are in their 40s. There's no known cause, though Sjögren's syndrome seems to have a genetic component, since it and other autoimmune diseases tend to run in families.

Will Williams return to professional tennis?

Hopefully. But there's no cure for Sjögren's. "How the disease will play out for Williams is unclear," says Margaret Steele in USA Today. "Symptoms can remain mild, worsen or, occasionally, go into remission." Patients usually manage the symptoms with drops for dry eyes, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunosuppressive agents. But let's not worry too much, suggests Dr. Robert Spiera of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, as quoted by MedPage Today. "Most patients with the disorder live very productive lives."

Sources: MedPage Today, NY Times, USA Today, WebMD