[The salivary glands during rheumatoid arthritis]

Salivary gland lesions were studied in 65 non-selected, confirmed rheumatoid polyarthritis patients. The investigations included a careful clinical study, the Schirmer test, sialography, sequential scintigraphy with Technetium 99, and a histological study of the sublingual glands. Tests were also made for salivary gland anti-epithelium antibodies. The frequency of sialography and scintigraphy anomalies is emphasized. In different degrees, two of of three patients presented anatomical or functional anomalies of the salivary glands. These disturbances were not related to the duration, the functional severity, or the treatment of the disease or to the presence of anti-salivary gland antibodies. On the other hand, there was a clear relation with both the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies and an increase in the serum gammaglobulin levels. The limits of the Gougerot syndrome are discussed and it is proposed that there is a need for a second nosological class grouping the minor scintigraphic and sialographic anomalies related to rheumatoid arthritis that has been suggested by several authors.