[Diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome].
BACKGROUND
The diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome largely depends on pathological findings at lower lip biopsy, or the presence of anti SSA and/or anti SSB antibodies. The present study evaluated which clinical and laboratory features among patients with sicca symptoms could predict a positive biopsy.


METHODS
All 217 patients evaluated for sicca symptoms at Aust-Agder Central Hospital, Arendal, Norway from 1989 through 1998 were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
136 biopsies were performed. 59 patients were diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome. A reduced Schirmer I test combined with either an elevated ESR, positive ANA or elevated serum gammaglobulin had a high positive predictive value for primary Sjögren's syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Among patients with sicca symptoms, those with laboratory evidence of inflammation, autoimmunity or exocrine dysfunction should be subjected to a lower lip biopsy for a final diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome.
Gran
J T
JT
Revmatologisk avdeling, Institutt for klinisk, medisin, Universitetet i Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø. jtgran@online.c2i.net
Myklebust
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000473:pathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear