Minor salivary gland biopsies in patients investigated for primary Sjögren's syndrome. A review of 187 patients.

OBJECTIVE

To correlate presenting features and indication for biopsy with results in patients undergoing minor salivary gland biopsy for the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

METHODS

The charts of 187 patients undergoing minor salivary gland biopsy for primary SS over a 9-year period were reviewed.

RESULTS

76 patients had a focus score > 1, 111 had a focus score < or = 1. No difference between the 2 groups was noted in most features, including frequency of symptomatic dry eyes or mouth, or Schirmer test results. Patients with focus score > 1 had significant increases in frequency of salivary gland swelling (25 vs 9%), antinuclear antibodies > 1:100 (68 vs 32%), rheumatoid factor > 1:160 (63 vs 22%), anti-SSA (46 vs 9%), anti-SSB (32 vs 4%), or any serologic marker (87 vs 46%). Abnormal biopsies were more frequent in those biopsied for serologic abnormalities (53%) than for sicca symptoms (33%) or systemic illness (29%).

CONCLUSION

Serologic markers are better predictors of results than clinical features in patients undergoing minor salivary gland biopsy for primary SS. The frequency of a positive biopsy is increased in patients in whom unexplained serologic markers are being evaluated.