Usefulness of antibodies and minor salivary gland biopsy in the study of sicca syndrome in daily clinical practice.

Objective: To assess the association between histologic findings in the minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) and anti La (La/SS-B)y antiRo antibodies (Ro/SS-A), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and Rheumatoid Factor (RF),and compare the value of the latter as diagnostic tests with MSGB, considered as the gold standard.

Methods: Patients with suspected Primary Sjögren Syndrome (PSS) referred for MSGB were included. Antibody measurements were performed. Grade III and IV biopsy results were considered positive.

Results: Two hundred and eighteen (218) patients were included, 95% females, with a median age of 54 years and 12 months median duration of sicca symptoms. 36 of the biopsies were positive. 33% of patients had positive anti Ro/SS-A anti La/SS-B antibodies, 62% had positive ANA, and 31% positive RF. A statistically significant association was found between MSGB and anti Ro/SS-A anti La/SS-B, ANA and RF. ANA were the most sensitive antibodies (84%. 95% CI: 75- 92), and the most specific were: Anti Ro/ SS-A and/or anti La/ SS-B (78%. 95% CI: 71-85) and RF (78%. 95% CI: 69-87).

Conclusions: On PSS clinical suspicion, anti Ro/ SS-A y anti La/ SS-B antibodies have a great value to achieve the diagnosis, with MSGB useful for diagnosis of seronegative patients. The results also suggest the importance of ANA and RF for PSS classification.