Biochemical parameters in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

This study aimed to determine the clinical profile and oral health condition of patients with Sjögren's Syndrome (SS). The patients were divided in: primary SS (n = 33), secondary SS (n = 22), “non-SS” group (n=9; patients with inconclusive diagnosis) and the control group (n=23; health patients). Questionnaires (XI and OHIP-14) were used to assess the severity of subjective symptoms and clinical examination was determined by unstimulated salivary flow and plaque index. Buffer capacity, osmolarity and protein quantification were performed. Patients with primary SS, secondary SS and non-SS had lower salivary flow and higher plaque than the control group (p<0.05). The osmolarity, buffer capacity and saliva protein concentration were similar between all groups. The scores obtained in the XI and OHIP-14 questionnaires were higher in the SS and non-SS groups (p <0.0001). The result suggests that SS is associated with impaired oral health.