Primary Sjogren's syndrome: salivary gland function and clinical oral findings

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate salivary gland function, saliva composition and oral findings in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) subdivided into patients with and without focus score greater than or equal to 1 (FS) and/ or antibodies to SSA/SSB (AB) as well as in healthy controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Unstimulated (UWS) and chewing stimulated (SWS) whole saliva, and stimulated parotid saliva (SPS) were collected in 16 patients fulfilling the European classification criteria for pSS subdivided into tho se with FS and/or AB (n = 8) and those without FS and AB (n = 8), and in ag e-matched (n = 14) and young healthy controls (n = 13). UWS and SWS were an alysed for Na+ and K+. SPS was analysed for Na+, K+, statherin, and proline -rich proteins (PRPs). Sicca symptoms, DMFT/DMFS, plaque (PI) and gingival (GI) scores, periodontal pocket depth (PPD), and mucosal status were record ed. RESULTS: The young healthy controls had lower UWS as compared to the aged c ontrols (P = 0.03). However, the aged controls had higher DMFT/DMFS (P < 0. 001) and PI, CI and PPD (P < 0.01). Patients with FS and/or AB generally ha d lower saliva secretory rates than patients without FS and/or AB (P = 0.01 for UWS and SPS) and age-matched healthy controls (P = 0.001). There was n o significant difference in the content of N-a+ and K+, statherin and PRPs between groups. Patients with FS and/or AB had the highest frequency of ora l mucosal changes and higher DMFT/DMFS than patients without FS and/or AB a nd healthy controls (P < 0.01). However, PI, GI, and PPD did not differ sig nificantly. CONCLUSION: Patients with FS and/or AB had lower salivary secretory rates, higher DMFT/DMFS, and more oral mucosal changes than patients without FS an d/or AB. Additionally, data suggest that salivary gland function in healthy individuals do not decrease with age.