We read with interest the article by Dr Oliver Schein and his colleagues1 in the June 1999 issue of the ARCHIVES. They found that of the 2481 individuals (aged 61-94 years) investigated, approximately 27% reported symptoms of dry eyes or dry mouth, and 4.4% reported both. The sicca symptoms were not associated with rheumatoid arthritis but with the use of certain medications. However, no discernible cause was found for 38% of the cases of dry eyes and mouth and 62% of the cases of either symptom.