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Ann Rheum Dis 1999;58:423-427 doi:10.1136/ard.58.7.423
  • Extended reports

Clinical follow up study of 87 patients with sicca symptoms (dryness of eyes or mouth, or both)

  1. Marja Pertovaaraa,
  2. Markku Korpelaa,
  3. Hannu Uusitalob,
  4. Juhani Pukanderc,
  5. Ari Miettinend,
  6. Heikki Heline,
  7. Amos Pasternackc
  1. aDepartment of Internal Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Finland, bDepartment of Ophthalmology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland, cMedical School, University of Tampere, Finland, dClinical Microbiology Unit, Tampere University Hospital, Finland, ePathology Unit, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
  1. Dr M Pertovaara, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, FIN-33521 Tampere, Finland.
  • Accepted 18 March 1999

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To assess the prognosis of patients with sicca symptoms and to identify the clinical and immunological factors that most sensitively predict the later development of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) or other connective tissue diseases.

METHODS Eighty seven patients (72 female, 15 male) with sicca symptoms were re-evaluated after a median follow up time of 11 years (range 8–17). The clinical examination included ophthalmological examination (Schirmer’s test, break up time and Rose-Bengal staining). Labial salivary gland biopsy was performed and histological findings graded according to the Chisholm-Mason scale. The immunoserological tests included determination of rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-extractable nuclear antigen-antibodies (ENA), serum immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, and IgM, and serum β2-microglobulin (β2m).

RESULTS At follow up 31 patients (36%) fulfilled modified Californian criteria (salivary flow measurements were not performed and Chisholm-Mason grades 3–4 were regarded as diagnostic histological findings) for possible or definite SS. Likewise, a significant progression of the histological findings was observed. Labial salivary gland re-biopsy was performed in 42 patients with grade 0–2 findings at baseline, progression to grades 3–4 being observed in 21 (50%) at follow up. The patients who later developed SS were at baseline significantly older (mean (SD) 52 (9)v 44 (14) years, p≤0.005) compared with those not fulfilling the SS criteria at follow up; they also had significantly higher serum β2m (p≤0.0005) and IgG concentrations (p≤0.005), and they had positive ANA more frequently (p≤0.01).

CONCLUSION These results suggest that high age, increased values of serum β2m, ANA positivity and increased concentrations of serum IgG, might be useful indicators for the subsequent development of SS in patients with sicca symptoms. The prognosis of patients with these symptoms was favourable, and the clinical course was benign even in the 36% of patients who developed SS. No cases of lymphoma were observed.

Footnotes

  • Funding: this study was supported by grants from the Medical Research Fund of Tampere University Hospital and the Tampere Rheumatism Association.

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