title: Serum anti-SS-B/La and IgA rheumatoid factor are markers of salivary gland disease activity in primary Sjögren's syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify serologic markers of salivary gland disease activity in 43 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison of salivary gland biopsies (focus scores) and flow rates with serum concentrations of IgA and IgM rheumatoid factor (RF), total serum IgG, serum anti-SS-B/La antibodies, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum anti-SS-B/La antibody levels correlated with focus scores (rs = 0.477, P < 0.0025). Serum IgA-RF concentrations correlated inversely with stimulated parotid gland salivary flow rates (rs = -0.394, P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measuring serum levels of anti-SS-B/La and IgA-RF would be useful when monitoring salivary responses in therapeutic trials, especially in patients with minimal salivary function.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Investigations and Patient Care Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Travis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Slocum
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Ebbs
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D015415:Biomarkers; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; C035357:SS-B antibodies; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor