title: Residual salivary secretion ability may be a useful marker for differential diagnosis in autoimmune diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have elucidated decreased resting salivary flow in approximately 60% of patients with autoimmune diseases not complicated by Sjögren syndrome (SjS). In this study, salivary stimulation tests using capsaicin were performed to examine residual salivary secretion ability in patients with autoimmune diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight patients were divided into three groups: patients with primary or secondary SjS (SjS group), patients with systemic sclerosis not complicated by SjS (SSc group), and patients with other autoimmune diseases (non-SjS/non-SSc group). Simple filter paper and filter paper containing capsaicin were used to evaluate salivary flow rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Resting salivary flow rates were significantly lower in the SjS and SSc groups than in the non-SjS/non-SSc group but did not differ significantly between the SjS and SSc groups. Capsaicin-stimulated salivary flow rates were significantly lower in the SjS and SSc groups than in the non-SjS/non-SSc group, but not significantly different between the SjS and SSc groups. In the non-SjS/non-SSc group, salivary flow rates increased after capsaicin stimulation to the threshold level for determination of salivary gland dysfunction, whereas no improvement was observed in the SjS and SSc groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residual salivary secretion ability may be a useful marker for differential diagnosis in autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Sport Management, Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, 1-1 Asashirodai, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka 590-0496, Japan ; Third Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsuko
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2233-8008
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maeshima
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Sport Management, Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, 1-1 Asashirodai, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka 590-0496, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koshiba
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kainan Municipal Medical Center, Kainan City, Wakayama 642-0002, Japan.
authors.forename: Kanako
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Furukawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Nanakuri Sanatorium, Fujita Health University, Tsu City, Mie 514-1295, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maeshima
authors.affiliation: Serotec Laboratory, Ebetsu City, Hokkaido 069-0822, Japan.
authors.forename: Wataru
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4198-2242
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers