title: Rheumatoid arthritis patients with xerostomia have reduced production of key salivary constituents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between complaints of xerostomia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the total output of the salivary proteins of innate and adaptive immunity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The salivary output and specific activity of peroxidase and specific contents of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) were determined in xerostomic RA patients, nonxerostomic RA patients, and healthy control subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with nonxerostomic RA and healthy control groups, xerostomic RA patients had significantly decreased output of saliva and protein, decreased peroxidase activity, and a significantly lower specific content of peroxidase and sIgA. Compared with the RA control group, xerostomic RA patients had significantly lower specific content of all salivary proteins examined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that xerostomia in patients with RA may be a harbinger of diminished saliva production regarding quantity and quality, and may be indicative of impairment of the salivary immune system of the oral cavity in xerostomic RA patients.
authors: Department of Pedodontics, Medical University, Bialystok, Poland. annazalewska74@yahoo.com
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Zalewska
authors: Małgorzata
authors: M
authors: Knaś
authors: Napoleon
authors: N
authors: Waszkiewicz
authors: Danuta
authors: D
authors: Waszkiel
authors: Stanisław
authors: S
authors: Sierakowski
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Zwierz
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000032:analysis; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000032:analysis; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000032:analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000276:immunology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D010544:Peroxidases; D009113:Muramidase; D007781:Lactoferrin