A single centre retrospective analysis of AECG classification criteria for primary Sjögren's syndrome based on 112 minor salivary gland biopsies in a Japanese population

Abstract

Objective: To assess the usefulness and performance of the American European Consensus Group (AECG) criteria based on minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) in Japanese patients with primary SS. Methods: Among 208 MSGB cases, we retrospectively selected 112 subjects who satisfied the complete set of AECG classification criteria. Of the 112 subjects studied, 63 primary SS patients and 49 non-SS group subjects were classified according to the AECG criteria. The contribution of subjective and objective components was statistically analysed. Results: Sex, dry eye, Saxon test, Schirmer's test, anti-SSA/Ro antibody, MSGB grading and sialography statistically contributed to the diagnosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that positive MSGB [odds ratio (OR) 105; 95% CI 13, 849), positive anti-SSA/Ro antibody (OR 96; 95% CI 10, 923), a positive Saxon test (OR 46; 95% CI, 6, 340) and the existence of dry eye (OR 8, 95% CI 2, 43) were associated with the diagnosis of primary SS. Among the components of the AECG criteria, MSGB and anti-SSA/Ro antibody were very strong contributors. Furthermore, the abnormal-finding positive rate in sialography significantly correlated with MSGB grading (P-value for trend = 0.0006), although other subjective and objective components were not associated with MSGB grading. Conclusion. The usefulness of the AECG criteria for Japanese primary SS patients was confirmed. © The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org.