Structure and function of salivary glands in psoriatics

A total of 28 psoriatics and the same number of age-and sex-matched healthy individuals as controls were subjected to clinical, histopathologic, and salivary flow rate studies to assess whether structural and functional disturbances attributable to psoriasis vulgaris are detectable in their salivary glands, i.e., whether they have sicca syndrome or not. The oral status of the patients in the two series proved to be normal, and no clinical signs of impaired tear and salivary secretion were notable, as determined by Schirmer test I and stimulated parotid flow rate measurement, respectively. In labial biopsy, the degree of salivary gland inflammation, fatty infiltration, and fibrosis were equal in both series. These results, seemingly contradictory to those of earlier workers, are discussed in the light of the newly introduced concept on MALT (mucosal associated lymphatic tissue), and the conclusion is drawn that salivary glands are not affected by psoriasis vulgaris nor complicated by arthritis. The latter seems to be required to initiate the inflammatory reaction within MALT, in which synovial tissue and salivary glands are included. The necessity of an age- and sex-matched control series is emphasized whenever salivary gland changes in association with systemic diseases are studied.