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Updated: Apr 13, 2026

Author Spotlight: A Focus on Standardized Salivary Gland Ultrasound Protocol in Connective Tissue Disease Research
Published on: October 13, 2023
Salivary Gland Ultrasonography as a Diagnostic Tool for Secondary Sjögren Syndrome in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sunil Das1, DoQuyen Huynh1, Hong Yang1
1From the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.S. Das, MD; D. Huynh, MD; H. Yang, MD, PhD; A. Ceponis, MD, PhD; A. Kavanaugh, MD.
Objective:
To assess salivary gland ultrasonography (US) as a diagnostic tool for secondary Sjögren syndrome (sSS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods:
Salivary gland US images from 30 patients with RA were graded using a validated semiquantitative scoring system. Sicca symptoms, oral health, and RA disease activity were assessed.
Results:
US changes consistent with SS were found in 40% of patients. Patients with higher US scores had more sicca symptoms as well as higher RA activity and poorer oral health.
Conclusion:
Salivary gland US may aid the diagnosis of sSS in patients with RA.
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