[Comparison of primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
We studied the difference in severity between primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).


METHODS
Two groups of patients (all females, mean age: 58 years), 31 with primary SS and 18 with secondary SS were studied. We performed the following dry eye tests: fluorescein score and Rose Bengal staining, grading of tear lipid layer interference patterns, measurement of fluorescein break up time, cotton thread test, and Schirmer-I test. Auto antibodies were also investigated.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between primary and secondary SS with respect to any dry eye tests or auto antibodies. In primary SS, however, the presence of anti SS-A antibody was significantly correlated with Rose Bengal scores (p = 0.044).


CONCLUSIONS
The severity of SS is independent of the primary or secondary type. In primary SS, the presence of anti SS-A antibody may be correlated with the severity.
Nakamura
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan.
Yokoi
N
N
Inatomi
T
T
Takada
Y
Y
Komuro
A
A
Sugita
J
J
Kinoshita
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*
D001323:Autoantibodies