SALIVARY AND SERUM HYALURONIC-ACID CONCENTRATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Objective-To evaluate salivary hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration in p atients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Methods-Salivary and ser um HA concentrations were evaluated using a radiometric assay. Thirty nine patients with SS served as the study group and their results were compared with 19 patients having clinical symptoms and signs of dry m outh and with 10 normal controls. Results-Salivary HA concentrations w ere significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the 39 patients with SS comp ared with the 19 patients with dry mouth and the 10 normal controls (2 40.7 (38.5) v 99.8 (14.6) and 91.3 (7.9) ng/ml, respectively) (mean (S EM)). No significant differences were noted in the serum HA concentrat ions between the three groups (42 (3.9) v 36.3 (4.1) and 32 (4.3) ng/m l, respectively) (mean (SEM)). No correlation could be found between s alivary HA concentrations and the focus score of lip biopsies, nor bet ween salivary HA concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rate or other serological tests. Conclusion-Increased salivary HA concentratio ns can serve as a marker of local inflammation and may be of value in the diagnosis of SS.