Related Experiment Videos
[Diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome]
1Revmatologisk avdeling, Institutt for klinisk, medisin, Universitetet i Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø. jtgran@online.c2i.net
Background:
The diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome largely depends on pathological findings at lower lip biopsy, or the presence of anti SSA and/or anti SSB antibodies. The present study evaluated which clinical and laboratory features among patients with sicca symptoms could predict a positive biopsy.
Material And Methods:
All 217 patients evaluated for sicca symptoms at Aust-Agder Central Hospital, Arendal, Norway from 1989 through 1998 were retrospectively reviewed.
Results:
136 biopsies were performed. 59 patients were diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome. A reduced Schirmer I test combined with either an elevated ESR, positive ANA or elevated serum gammaglobulin had a high positive predictive value for primary Sjögren's syndrome.
Interpretation:
Among patients with sicca symptoms, those with laboratory evidence of inflammation, autoimmunity or exocrine dysfunction should be subjected to a lower lip biopsy for a final diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome.