Sialochemistry in juvenile chronic arthritis

Stimulated parotid gland secretions collected from 16 patients with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) were analysed and the results compared with those obtained from 83 healthy sex-, age-, and socioeconomic status-matched children. Parotid salivary flow rate was measured and the saliva samples were assayed for calcium, phosphorus, potassium, chloride, sodium, urea, lysozyme, amylase and immunoglobulin levels (IgA, Ig, IgM). Our results showed that parotid flow rate (PFR) values in JCA patients were not statistically different from those in healthy controls. However, the mean salivary concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, lysozyme and IgA were significantly lower in the patients. These data could provide an explanation for the increased incidence of caries and gingivitis observed in JCA.