title: [Importance of salivary gland focus score in the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the correlation between labial salivary gland focus score (FS) and severity of Sjögren's syndrome patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2009 to December 2010, a total of 77 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome were recruited to undergo minor salivary gland biopsy, Schirmer's test, unstimulated whole salivary flow, organ function and serological test. Focus score was calculated for all biopsy samples. And the correlation between focus score and serological test and organ function damage was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Their pathological examinations revealed focal lymphocytic sialadenitis (n = 62), 10 cases with non-specific or sclerosing chronic sialadenitis (n = 10) and normal features (n = 5). Among 62 cases with focal lymphocytic sialadenitis, 46 cases had FS ≥ 1 and another 16 FS < 1. The median FS was 2.4 ± 2.5 . FS ≥ 1 was strongly associated with unstimulated whole salivary flow rates and ocular staining score (P < 0.05), but not significantly with dry mouth or eyes. FS was significantly correlated with serum immunoglobin G (IgG), immunoglobin M (IgM) and rheumatoid factor level (P < 0.05). Those with positive anti-SSA had higher FS level than those with negative anti-SSA antibody (P < 0.05). In addition, FS level was not significantly associated with organ function damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prior to determining FS, distinguishing focal lymphocytic sialadenitis from other types of sialadenitis is essential in assessing salivary gland biopsy. And the FS level might be associated with disease activity and positive anti-SSA. No correlation exists between FS and organ function damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical Hospital, Beijing 100032, China.
authors.forename: Yun-yun
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Fei
authors.forename: Xue-mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dong-fang
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Meng-tao
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xiao-feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Feng-chun
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor