J C Atkinson1, W D Travis, L Slocum, W L Ebbs, P C Fox. 1. Clinical Investigations and Patient Care Branch, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify serologic markers of salivary gland disease activity in 43 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS: Comparison of salivary gland biopsies (focus scores) and flow rates with serum concentrations of IgA and IgM rheumatoid factor (RF), total serum IgG, serum anti-SS-B/La antibodies, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. RESULTS: Serum anti-SS-B/La antibody levels correlated with focus scores (rs = 0.477, P < 0.0025). Serum IgA-RF concentrations correlated inversely with stimulated parotid gland salivary flow rates (rs = -0.394, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Measuring serum levels of anti-SS-B/La and IgA-RF would be useful when monitoring salivary responses in therapeutic trials, especially in patients with minimal salivary function.
OBJECTIVE: To identify serologic markers of salivary gland disease activity in 43 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS: Comparison of salivary gland biopsies (focus scores) and flow rates with serum concentrations of IgA and IgM rheumatoid factor (RF), total serum IgG, serum anti-SS-B/La antibodies, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. RESULTS: Serum anti-SS-B/La antibody levels correlated with focus scores (rs = 0.477, P < 0.0025). Serum IgA-RF concentrations correlated inversely with stimulated parotid gland salivary flow rates (rs = -0.394, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Measuring serum levels of anti-SS-B/La and IgA-RF would be useful when monitoring salivary responses in therapeutic trials, especially in patients with minimal salivary function.
Authors: Annett M Jacobi; Arne Hansen; Olaf Kaufmann; Axel Pruss; Gerd R Burmester; Peter E Lipsky; Thomas Dörner Journal: Arthritis Res Date: 2002-06-11