title: [Usefulness of oral pilocarpin therapy in the treatment of xerostomia and xerophthalmia in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Roser
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solans
authors.forename: José Angel
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Selva
authors.forename: Carmen Pilar
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Simeón
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fonollosa
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vilardell
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D008916:Miotics; D010862:Pilocarpine