Minor salivary gland biopsy: its importance in rheumatoid arthritis and secondary Sjögren's síndrome

Abstract

Secondary Sjögren’s Syndrome (SSs) is common in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Objectives: to determine if lymphocytic sialoadenifitis (FLS) is associated with clinical and serological differences in a group of patients with RA and SSs. Methods: patients with a diagnosis of RA and SSs were included, which of them presented FLS in the salivary gland biopsy, clinical and serological characteristics were compared. Results: 88 patients were included, 92% women, mean age of 53 years (SD ± 11.3) and 12.5 years of evolution of RA (RIC 6-7). 63.6% had SLF versus 36.4% who did not. In the univariate analysis, a statistically significant association was found between FLS + and the variables: parotidomegaly, interstitial lung disease, hypergammaglobulinemia, hypocomplementemia, rheumatoid factor, positive ANF, and extra-articular and/ or extraglandular manifestations. In the multivariate analysis, the variables independently associated with the presence of FLS were: extra-articular and/or extraglandular manifestations (OR 5.67, 95% CI 1.6-20), positive ANF (OR 11.7, 95% CI 1.6-83) and hypergammaglobulinemia (OR 21, 95% CI 2.46-179). Conclusion: patients with RA and SSs with FLS have a higher frequency of extra-articular and extraglandular manifestations and serological differences, which would imply a different clinical follow-up.