ABSTRACT

There is no clear data about repeated minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) for diagnostic procedure of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Objective of study was to assess diagnostic usefulness of repeated MSGB in patients with suspected SS.

Rebiopsies among 671 MSGB between 2005 January to August 2009 for the diagnosis of SS were examined retrospectively. Demographic data, ocular and oral symptoms, Schirmer’s test, ANA, SS-A, SS-B, RF, C3, C4, MSGB results and medical treatments were noted. MSGB was assessed according to Chisholm-Mason classification between grade 0 and 4. At least two units increase in grades or grade ≥3 were considered significant. MTBB’leri Chisholm-Mason sınıflamasına göre evre 0 ve 4 arasında değerlendirildi.

Sixty one (9%) [57 female] of 671 patients had repeated MSGB. The mean age was 53.8±10.9 years old and the mean time between two biopsies was 15.6±13.0 months. Clinical and laboratory findings were as follows; xerostomia 21 (34%), xerophthalmia 37 (61%), positive Schirmer’s test 50%, ANA [1/160] 19 (31%), SS-A 20 (33%), SS-B 9 (15%), RF 12 (20%) and low complement levels 3 (5%). Grade 0, 1 and 2 of the first MSGB were 24 (39.3%), 34 (55.7%) and 3 (4.9%), respectively. Grade 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 of second MSGB were 24 (39.3%), 18 (29.5%), 5 (8.2%), 9 (14.8%) and 5 (8.2%), respectively. Significant increase at grades was found in 16 (26.2%) patients. There were no difference in patients with and without increase grade in MSGB.

This study showed that repeated MSGB was simple and useful diagnostic approach almost quarter of patients with suspected SS.