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The diagnosis value of β2-microglobulin and immunoglobulins in primary Sjögren's syndrome

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Summary

Salivary and serum concentrations of β2-microglobulin, salivary levels of the immunoglobulins, and salivary flow (as measured by a gravimetric method) were assessed in 34 patients and 11 controls. Of the 34 study patients, 16 had a primary form of Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and 18 had sicca syndrome. The salivary and serum concentrations of β2-microglobulin and salivary levels of IgA and IgG were much higher in the patients with pSS than in controls or those with sicca syndrome (p<0.001). Similarly, the salivary IgM levels of patients with pSS were higher (although at a lower degree of statistical significance) as compared to those of patients with sicca syndrome (p<0.01) or controls (p<0.05). No correlation was observed among the salivary flow and the salivary IgG and IgM levels, while there was a negative relationship (p<0.01 with salivary IgA levels in all 45 patients considered as a whole.

In 12 patients with pSS, the coefficient of correlation between the salivary gland biopsy focus score and the salivary (but not serum) concentration of β2-microglobulin was highly significant (p<0.001). A similar relationship was observed with the IgG (p<0.001) and IgM (p<0.05) levels, but not IgA.

In the diagnosis of pSS, the salivary IgA level demonstrates high sensitivity and low specificity. In contrast, serum and salivary concentrations of β2-microglobulin salivary IgG, and to a lesser degree, salivary IgM have high specificity and positive predictive value. Because they are non-invasive and easily repeatable, the measurement of salivary and serum β2-microglobulin concentrations and salivary IgG and IgM levels are proposed as aids in the management of patients with pSS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Clinica Medica I, USL 10E, Viale le Morgagni 85, 50134, Firenze, Italia

    S. Maddali Bongi, C. Palermo &  G. Bianucci

  2. Istituto Oftalmico Fiorentino, USL 10E, Viale le Morgagni 85, 50134, Firenze, Italia

    G. Campana

  3. Servizio di Medicina Nucleare, USL 10D, Viale le Morgagni 85, 50134, Firenze, Italia

    A. D'agata

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  1. S. Maddali Bongi
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Bongi, S.M., Campana, G., D'agata, A. et al. The diagnosis value of β2-microglobulin and immunoglobulins in primary Sjögren's syndrome. Clin Rheumatol 14, 151–156 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214934

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02214934

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