PREDICTORS OF LYMPHOMA DEVELOPMENT IN PRIMARY SJOGRENS-SYNDROME

Objective: To determine the clinical and laboratory predictors of lymp homa development in primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). Methods: Seventy -two patients with pSS were studied. Demographic data, clinical featur es, serum gamma-globulin levels, autoantibodies, and HLA status were r eviewed, For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U-test, Fisher's exact test, logistic regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier method, and log-rank tests were applied, Results:Five patients developed a distinct non-Ho dgkin's lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), A histor y of swollen salivary glands, lymphadenopathy, and leg ulcers predicte d lymphoma development. Conclusion: Patients with pSS are at increased risk of lymphoma development and those who have the above risk factor s must be carefully observed. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Comp any.