Assessment of major salivary gland ultrasonography in Sjögren's syndrome. A comparison between bedside and post-examination evaluations.

OBJECTIVES: Major salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) is a suitable diagnostic tool in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). We aimed to determine the more representative gland, projection and format most applicable for reproducible image analysis. METHODS: One investigator performed SGUS in patients with SS. Parotid and submandibular glands were examined in longitudinal and transverse planes and evaluated bedside using a simplified scoring system (0-3). Longitudinal and transverse images and videos of all glands were stored and later evaluated/graded by three investigators, at two time-points. Agreement was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The ICC for static image and video scoring compared to bedside evaluation ranged from 0.131 to 0.882. Average ICC for longitudinal/transverse image was 0.667/0.662, and 0.683/0.510 for longitudinal/transverse video. Interobserver reliability was good to excellent (0.81-0.94). Intraobserver reliability scores ranged from fair to excellent (0.46-0.96). The correlation between image and video evaluations of all modalities and examiners was good to excellent (0.614-0.904). The best mean ICC was found for the longitudinal projection of the left parotid gland (0.861) and the lowest mean ICC was for the transverse projection of the left submandibular gland (0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates a trend favouring longitudinal video of the parotid gland as preferred projection, gland and storage format.

Antibodies against carbamylated proteins are present in primary Sjögren's syndrome and are associated with disease severity.

OBJECTIVES: Herein, we investigate the presence and prognostic value of autoantibodies against carbamylated proteins (anti-CarP) in the serum of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum levels of anti-CarP antibodies were measured in Norwegian patients with pSS (n=78) and corresponding controls (n=74) using ELISA and analysed in relation with exocrine gland function, degree of salivary gland inflammation, signs of ectopic germinal centre (GC) formation and immunological markers. For univariate comparisons, the Mann-Whitney U test and χ(2) or Fisher's exact tests were used. Correlations were assessed with Spearman's rank testing. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the effect of anti-CarP positivity on clinical manifestations. RESULTS: Of the patients with pSS, 27% were positive for anti-CarP IgG antibodies. Levels of anti-CarP correlated positively with total IgG, IgM, rheumatoid factor and ß2-microglobulin. Importantly, after adjusting for confounding factors, patients positive for anti-CarP had significantly higher focus score. Furthermore, positive anti-CarP status coincided with 9.2-fold higher odds of having developed GC-like structures in the minor salivary glands. As a patient group considered having worse disease outcome, individuals with ectopic GC-like structures also presented with significantly higher levels of anti-CarP antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of anti-CarP in patients with pSS is strongly associated with increased focal lymphocytic infiltration, formation of ectopic GC-like structures in minor salivary glands, and diminished salivary gland function. Even taking into consideration our relatively small cohort we believe that anti-CarP antibodies offer new possibilities for identifying patients with more active disease and at risk of developing additional comorbidity.

Diagnostic utility of major salivary gland ultrasonography in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate major salivary gland ultrasonography (US) in relation to symptoms and findings of oral and ocular dryness, and autoimmune disease, for potential use in diagnosis and follow-up of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: Patients with pSS were recruited from the Department of Rheumatology, Haukeland University Hospital. The parotid and submandibular salivary glands were examined by US using a simplified scoring system for glandular homogeneity and hypoechogenic areas. Scans were graded on a scale 0-3, grades 0-1 considered corresponding to normal/non-specific changes and grades 2-3 to pathological changes. Sicca symptoms of the mouth and eyes, salivary gland capacity, tear secretion, minor salivary gland inflammation, serum autoantibodies, and fatigue were also investigated. RESULTS: US was performed in 97 patients. Oral and ocular sicca symptoms correlated with US score and decreased saliva levels. Fatigue VAS correlated with oral sicca symptoms but was inversely correlated with age. Patients with normal/non-specific US findings tended to be older than patients with pathological US findings. US score correlated with unstimulated and stimulated salivary secretion and tear secretion. Minor salivary gland inflammation correlated with major salivary gland US findings, and lymphoid organisation, germinal centre (GC)-like structures, in the minor salivary gland tissue biopsies was seemingly related to US pathology. Serum autoantibodies against Ro/SSA and/or La/SSB were associated with US pathology. CONCLUSIONS: US findings in major salivary glands correlate with subjective and objective oral and ocular items as well as systemic autoimmune features of pSS. US represents a useful imaging tool for diagnostics and follow-up of pSS.

Juvenile Sjögren's Syndrome: Clinical Characteristics With Focus on Salivary Gland Ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: Juvenile Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a rare, poorly defined, and possibly underdiagnosed condition affecting children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to characterize symptoms and clinical findings of juvenile SS and to explore the clinical application of major salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) in patients with juvenile SS. METHODS: A cross-sectional multicenter study recruited patients with disease onset until age 18 years (n = 67). Disease characteristics were recorded, and unstimulated whole sialometry and SGUS examination of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands were performed. RESULTS: The female:male ratio was 58:9. The mean age at first symptom was 10.2 years and 12.1 years at diagnosis. Ocular and oral symptoms were noted in 42 of 67 patients (63%) and 53 of 66 patients (80%), respectively. The American-European Consensus Group or American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for primary SS were fulfilled by 42 of 67 patients (63%). Pathologic SGUS findings were observed in 41 of 67 patients (61%); 26 of 41 SGUS+ patients (63%) fulfilled primary SS criteria. Salivary gland enlargements/parotitis were noted in 37 of 58 patients and were nonsignificantly associated with SGUS+ status (P = 0.066). The mean levels of saliva were 5.6 ml/15 minutes in SGUS- patients compared to 3.3 ml/15 minutes in the SGUS+ patients (P = 0.049). A total of 36 of 41 SGUS+ patients (88%) were anti-Ro/La+ compared to 14 of 26 SGUS- patients (54%) (P = 0.001). In addition, 24 of 39 SGUS+ patients (62%) were positive for rheumatoid factor (RF), whereas only 5 of 25 SGUS- patients (20%) were RF+ (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Juvenile SS is characterized by a large spectrum of clinical symptoms and findings. Several glandular and extraglandular parameters such as hyposalivation, swollen salivary glands, and autoantibodies are associated with pathologic SGUS findings.