Prevalence of primary Sjögren's syndrome in China.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence rate of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in a community population of 2066 adults in a Beijing suburban village, and 100 inpatients, who were not necessarily admitted for rheumatic diseases.


METHODS
Questionnaire and serological studies of antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and anti-SSA, anti-SSB antibodies were done. Possible positive subjects were given eye and oral examinations for objective evidence of xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.


RESULTS
According to the Copenhagen criteria, the prevalence rate of primary Sjögren's syndrome in China was 0.77%, and it was 0.33% by modified San Diego criteria. In 100 inpatients, we found 4 cases of primary Sjögren's syndrome by Copenhagen criteria, and one case by modified San Diego criteria.


CONCLUSIONS
Primary Sjögren's syndrome is not a rare disease in China, but most cases are overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Zhang
N Z
NZ
Department of Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
Shi
C S
CS
Yao
Q P
QP
Pan
G X
GX
Wang
L L
LL
Wen
Z X
ZX
Li
X C
XC
Dong
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012423:Rural Health; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*