About ISSjD 2024 

The University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, invites you to the 16th International Symposium for Sjögren’s Disease (ISSjD), from the 22nd to the 25th of April 2024, at Egmond aan Zee.

Sjögren’s Disease (SjD) was first described nearly 100 years ago. Looking critically, almost a century later, is at best a partially understood condition. We know, for example, how many extra glandular manifestations there are, how much of a central role fatigue plays in the life of people with SjD, and that patients can be placed into different subgroups depending on symptom presentation. We also understand that MALT lymphomas, developing in 5-10% of SjD patients during the course of their disease, are likely to originate from derailed B cells in the salivary glands, as well as that our existing clinical trial read-outs for drug treatments in SjD do not adequately discriminate placebo from treated groups. But how do we fit these pieces of the SjD puzzle together and translate our knowledge into clinical practice? What information are we still missing? Despite the jumps in fundamental and clinical knowledge, SjD is still a debilitating autoimmune condition without a registered gold standard treatment.

During ISSjD2024, Sjögren's Disease-focused clinicians, scientists and patient organizations come together to embrace fresh faces, ideas and technologies geared towards the eventual resolution of SjD. Field-leading invited speakers will form the backbone of our program, complemented by special attention and presentation space for young scientists. Preceding the conference, we will organize two optional workshops focused on the use of ultrasound imaging and of immunohistopathology analysis in SjD. There will be ample physical space for informal meetings with peers, and for socializing together. And whilst we’re talking about socializing … come to the land of beer and cheese! 

If our goal as a research community is to advance our ability to treat Sjögren's Disease, embracing new technologies and fresh research energy, the 16th ISSD is the perfect platform to host this.

We all hope to you see you in Egmond aan Zee on 22nd April 2024!

Team UMCG