[Usefulness of oral pilocarpin therapy in the treatment of xerostomia and xerophthalmia in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to asses the efficacy of pilocarpine tablets as a symptomatic treatment for dry mouth and dry eyes in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).


METHODS
We included 40 patients with SS (38 women and 2 men), mean age 49.2 years (range, 35-68), with severe xerostomia and xerophthalmia. Objective tests (salivary scintigraphy, Schirmer's test, break-up time, Rose Bengal staining) and subjective tests (symptoms' questionnaire) were carried out before starting treatment and 6 months later to evaluate any glandular function improvement.


RESULTS
All patients initially received 15 mg daily of pilocarpine. Twelve (30%) patients received 20 mg daily. Dry mouth-related symptoms improved in 57.5% of patients and dry eyes-related ones improved in 35%. Scintigraphic studies demonstrated an objective improvement of the glandular function in 35% patients. Ocular tests showed an improvement in 30% cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Pilocarpine therapy is useful to improve xerostomia and xerophthalmia in SS patients with moderate and severe glandular involvement. However, we have not observed a good correlation between subjective improvement of symptoms and the objective test results.
Solans
Roser
R
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Bosch
José Angel
JA
Selva
Albert
A
Simeón
Carmen Pilar
CP
Fonollosa
Vicente
V
Vilardell
Miquel
M
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008916:Miotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010862:Pilocarpine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D008916:Miotics; D010862:Pilocarpine