Primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS): subjective symptoms and salivary findings

We studied the relationship between dry mouth, general health and objective findings in 16 patients having primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) according to the 1993 European classification criteria as well as in healthy controls . Serum autoantibody to SSA/SSB (AB) was correlated to unstimulated whole s aliva flow (UWS) and labial salivary gland focus score (FS). All patients h ad dry mouth symptoms and UWS less than or equal to 0.10 ml/min, but patien ts with UWS <0.05 ml/min and AB had more complaints of oral and ocular dryn ess. These patients also tended to have more exocrine and non-exocrine mani festations, and oral dryness had a greater impact on their self-reported ge neral health than in patients with UWS greater than or equal to 0.05 ml/min . Accordingly, we consider rating of oral dryness by visual analogue scales or categorised questionnaires to be valuable for the evaluation of oral in volvement in pSS.