Salivary Gland Ultrasonography Score Research Articles

Normal-Appearing Salivary Gland Ultrasonography Identifies a Milder Phenotype of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Objective: Salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) is emerging as a valid tool in the management of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). This study aimed to investigate whether pSS patients with normal-appearing or pathological SGUS findings showed different clinical, laboratory, and pathologic pSS-related features, and to compare the results by using two different SGUS scores.Methods: Consecutive pSS patients, according to the ACR-EULAR classification criteria, were evaluated. Salivary glands were scored using the early 1992 score by De Vita et al. and the latest 2019 OMERACT score, both being semiquantitative 0–3 scoring systems focused on ultrasonographic parenchymal inhomogeneity (grades 0 and 1, normal-appearing; grades 2 and 3, pathological). The patients were then divided into two groups: “SGUS normal-appearing” if all the salivary glands had normal-appearing parenchyma (grade 0 or 1), or “SGUS pathological” if the grade was 2 or 3 in at least one salivary gland. The associations between SGUS and pSS-related clinical, laboratory, and pathological features were then investigated in the two groups.Results: One hundred pSS patients were evaluated, the mean age (±SD) was 60.9 ± 12.0 years, and mean disease duration was 11.7 ± 7.2 years. Twenty-nine out of 100 (29%) patients were in the “SGUS normal-appearing” group and 71/100 (71%) were in the “SGUS pathological” group. A normal-appearing SGUS was significantly associated with the absence of anti-La/SSB antibodies (p < 0.001) and normal unstimulated salivary flow rate (p = 0.02) by both univariate and multivariate analyses. By univariate analysis, a normal-appearing SGUS was significantly associated also with the absence of rheumatoid factor (p = 0.002) and of serum monoclonal component (p = 0.003), ESSDAI < 5 (p = 0.03), and with a negative lip biopsy (p = 0.029). No associations were found with other items, including anti-Ro/SSA (p = 0.145), Schirmer's test (p = 0.793), ESSPRI (p = 0.47), and demographic data. No differences in these results were observed by using the two SGUS scoring systems.Conclusion: The SGUS allowed the identification of different phenotypes of pSS, and different SGUS scores focused on salivary gland inhomogeneity may be effective to this end.

High prevalence of salivary gland ultrasound abnormalities in systemic sclerosis

To evaluate salivary gland (SG) involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) using SG ultrasound (SGUS). Patients with SSc (n=62), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) (n=59), and idiopathic Sicca syndrome (n=43) were evaluated using the outcome measures in rheumatology clinical trial (OMERACT) definitions of the SGUS scoring system. The hyperechogenic bands using the 0-3 scoring system, intraglandular power Doppler signal (PDS), and SG volumes were also assessed. The proportion of patients with OMERACT grades (≥2) among the four SGs was significantly higher in SSc (51.6%) and pSS (62.7%) groups than those in the idiopathic Sicca syndrome group (4.7%). Patients with SSc and pSS had significantly higher total fibrosis grades than controls. No difference in fibrosis grades was observed between SSc and pSS groups. The PDS scores of SGs were higher in the SSc group than in the idiopathic Sicca syndrome group. SG volumes did not differ between the groups. SSc patients with SGUS grades ≥2 had more anti-centromere antibodies (ACA) (65.6% vs. 30.0%) than individuals with grades 0-1. SSc patients with fibrosis grades ≥2 reported more Sicca symptoms than those with grades 0-1. Inhomogeneity and hyperechogenic bands within the SGs were not associated with organ involvement in SSc. More than half of patients with SSc, specifically with ACA, showed SG involvement. SG fibrosis was more prominent in SSc than in idiopathic Sicca syndrome and was associated with subjective Sicca symptoms. However, hyperechoic bands within the SGs are not features that can differentiate between SSc and pSS.

Salivary Gland Ultrasonography in Sjögren's Syndrome: A European Multicenter Reliability Exercise for the HarmonicSS Project

Objectives: Salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) is increasingly applied for the management of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). This study aims to: (i) compare the reliability between two SGUS scores; (ii) test the reliability among sonographers with different levels of experience.Methods: In the reliability exercise, two four-grade semi-quantitative SGUS scoring systems, namely De Vita et al. and OMERACT, were tested. The sonographers involved in work-package 7 of the HarmonicSS project from nine countries in Europe were invited to participate. Different levels of sonographers were identified on the basis of their SGUS experience and of the knowledge of the tested scores. A dedicated atlas was used as support for SGUS scoring.Results: Twenty sonographers participated in the two rounds of the reliability exercise. The intra-rater reliability for both scores was almost perfect, with a Light's kappa of 0.86 for the De Vita et al. score and 0.87 for the OMERACT score. The inter-rater reliability for the De Vita et al. and the OMERACT score was substantial with Light's Kappa of 0.75 and 0.77, respectively. Furthermore, no significant difference was noticed among sonographers with different levels of experience.Conclusion: The two tested SGUS scores are reliable for the evaluation of major salivary glands in pSS, and even less-expert sonographers could be reliable if adequately instructed.

Clinical Phenotyping of Primary Sjögren Syndrome Patients Using Salivary Gland Ultrasonography: Data From the RESULT Cohort.

To investigate salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) abnormalities in relation to clinical phenotype and patient characteristics, disease activity, and disease damage in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS). Consecutive outpatients included in our REgistry of Sjögren Syndrome LongiTudinal (RESULT) cohort were selected. Patients with pSS who were included were classified according to the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria and underwent full ultrasonographic examination (Hocevar score 0-48) at baseline. Total SGUS scores of ≥ 15 were considered positive. Patient characteristics, disease activity, and disease damage were compared between the different SGUS groups. In total, 172 of 186 patients with pSS were eligible, of whom 136 (79%) were SGUS positive. Compared with patients who were SGUS negative, SGUS-positive patients had significantly longer disease duration, higher EULAR Sjögren Syndrome Disease Activity Index, higher Sjögren Syndrome Disease Damage Index, and were more likely to have a positive parotid gland biopsy, anti-SSA/SSB antibodies, and abnormal unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) and ocular staining score (OSS), and higher levels of IgG and rheumatoid factor. Regarding patient-reported outcome measurements (PROM), patients who were SGUS positive scored significantly lower on the EULAR Sjögren Syndrome Patient-Reported Index for fatigue and pain, and more often found their disease state acceptable compared with patients who were SGUS negative. SGUS total score showed significant associations with various clinical and serological variables, and with PROM. Highest associations were found for UWS (ρ = -0.551) and OSS (ρ = 0.532). Patients who were SGUS positive show a distinct clinical phenotype in all aspects of the disease compared with patients who were SGUS negative: clinical, functional, serological, and PROM. SGUS could be a helpful tool in selecting patients for clinical trials and estimating treatment need.

AB0414 ESSPRI COMPONENTS AND SALIVARY FLOW RATE ARE RELATED TO DAILY ACTIVITY IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SJÖGREN’S SYNDROME

Background:Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease targets primarily the salivary and lacrimal glands, the severe dryness of the mouth and eyes are common manifestations in patients. Therefore, daily life could be affected by these manifestations in patients with SjS.Objectives:The aim of the study was to assess associations among daily activity impairment and scores of EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) and major salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) in primary SjS.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 41 patients with primary SjS (F/M:39/2; mean age: 52,1±10,5) were included. The mean disease duration was 9.5±6,6 years in the group.Data were collected by clinical examinations and a questionnaire regarding two patients reported outcome measures (PROMs). Firstly, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire assessed paid and unpaid work during the last seven days. Scores of WPAI subgroups as absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work impairment as well as daily activity impairment were calculated by using 6 items. Secondly, dryness, fatigue and pain in ESSPRI scale were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10 points) in SjS. High scores in both PROMs indicates that disease manifestations affect patient ‘life poorly.In addition, structural damage of parotid and submandibular salivary glands were examined by using Milic and Hocevar USG scoring methods. Unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (U-WSFR; as ml/min) were also used to interpret the functional status of major salivary glands. High SGUS score and low U-WSFR reflects that disease activity affects major glands poorly.Results:Daily activity impairment was calculated as 63,9±31,1 in patients with primary SjS. High scores in ESSPRI-dryness, ESSPRI-fatigue and ESSPRI-pain were also observed in the group (7,5±2,4; 6,4±2,8 and 6,1±3,1, respectively). Daily activity impairment was correlated with scores of ESSPRI-dryness (r:0,55 p=0.000), ESSPRI-fatigue (r:0,38 p=0.014) and ESSPRI-pain (r:0,56 p=0.000) as well as parenchymal inhomogeneity USG scores of right and left parotid glands (r:0,49 p=0.032; r:0,51 p=0.025).U-WSFR (0.20±0.20 ml/min) was moderately correlated with parenchymal inhomogeneity USG scores of major salivary glands (p&lt;0.05). ESSPRI-dryness score was significantly higher in patients with low U-WSFRs (≤ 0.1 ml/min) than the others (87,5±16,3 vs 68,3±25,1, respectively)(p=0.021).Conclusion:Firstly, subgroup scores of ESSPRI and low U-WSFR associated to daily activity impairment in patients with primary SjS. Secondly, parenchymal inhomogeneity scores of both parotid glands could give an important clue to clinicians for the disease-related damage. Finally, WPAI with 6-item could be thought as an useful tool to understand the effect of the disease manifestations on patients’ daily life.Disclosure of Interests: :None declared

Are Salivary Gland Ultrasonography Scores Associated with Salivary Flow Rates and Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Sjögren Syndrome?

Major salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) is a widely used imaging technique to evaluate salivary gland involvement in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between SGUS, salivary flow rate (SFR) as an objective measure of the gland function, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQOL) as a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in a pSS cohort. Sixty-six patients with pSS were examined by SGUS according to Hocevar and Milic scoring systems. Patients with inhomogeneity/hypoechoic areas with scores ≥ 2 in parotid and submandibular glands were classified separately as "severe glandular involvement." Further, oral health, SFR, and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) for OHRQOL were assessed. Both total Hocevar and Milic scores were higher in 21 pSS patients with low unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (U-WSFR) than 45 pSS patients without low U-WSFR (P = 0.001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Increased scores of homogeneity, hypoechoic areas and glandular border visibility were observed in patients with low U-WSFR (P < 0.05). Among these variables, homogeneity score was found to be an independent risk factor for low U-WSFR in pSS according to logistic regression analysis (OR 1.586, P = 0.001). Moreover, a higher OHIP-14 score was observed in severe parotid involvement compared to nonsevere cases (23.26 ± 21.19 vs 8.32 ± 13.82, P = 0.004). High Milic and Hocevar SGUS scores are associated with reduced SFR and poor OHRQOL as a PROM. The inhomogeneity component of the SGUS score is associated with low U-WSFR and is an indicator of severely affected gland function.

Ultrasonographic Changes of Major Salivary Glands in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

We aimed to evaluate the changes over time in salivary gland (SG) abnormalities by ultrasound (US) in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Patients with pSS (n = 70) and idiopathic sicca syndrome (n = 18) underwent baseline salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) scans, and follow-up scans two years later. The semi-quantitative SGUS score (0–48) and intraglandular power Doppler signal (PDS) were assessed. We found that in the pSS group, the SGUS scores for total SGs and bilateral parotid glands significantly increased after the median 23.4-months follow-up. SGUS scores either worsened, improved, or were stable in 18.6%, 2.9%, and 78.6% of patients with pSS, respectively. The median changes from baseline in SGUS scores for total and parotid glands were +1.0 and +0.5, respectively. None of the SGUS scores changed significantly in the controls. The variables of homogeneity and hypoechoic showed a statistically significant progression of SGUS scores. In pSS patients, the baseline and follow-up PDS scores were significantly higher in the “worsening” group than in the “no change/improvement” group. Overall, the structural abnormalities in major SGs assessed using SGUS remained stable in patients with pSS. At the 2-year follow-up, SGUS scores worsened in 18.6% of patients with pSS. Intra-glandular hypervascularity was associated with the worsening of SG abnormalities.

Salivary gland ultrasound integrated with 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria improves the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome

To evaluate the utility of salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) in the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) singly or integrated with 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria. Patients with suspected pSS were enrolled in the study. SGUS semi-quantitative scoring was used to assess salivary gland. Clinical characteristics were recorded, including autoantibodies, ophthalmic tests, salivary glands scintigraphy (SGS) and labial biopsy. The diagnostic accuracy of SGUS score and complementary value of SGUS to 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria were analysed. 282 patients were included for analysis. 161 were diagnosed as pSS and 121 as non-SS. SGUS score≥5 showed 64.7% sensitivity and 81.4% specificity for the diagnosis of pSS. Positive anti-SSA, abnormal SGS and SGUS score were significantly higher in pSS than non-SS group (80.1% vs. 14.0%, p<0.01; 91.3% vs. 57.0%, p<0.01; 8.4±6.6 vs. 2.6±3.2, p<0.01 respectively). A weighted score [(anti-SSA×16.5) + (SGS×14.5) + (SGUS×4.5)] was constructed. The score ≥17.5 could improve the sensitivity, and almost keep the specificity comparing to 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria (89.9% vs. 85.6% and 79.5% vs. 82.2%). When replacing labial biopsy by SGUS in 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria, both sensitivity and specificity were a bit decreased (85.0% vs. 85.6% and 79.8% vs. 82.2%). When adding SGUS to 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria, it showed better performance by improving the sensitivity (90.8% vs. 85.6%), while not losing the specificity (83.7% vs. 82.2%). Adding SGUS score to the 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria can improve the diagnosis utility of pSS. SGUS may be a feasible and prospective tool in the diagnosis of pSS.

Application of ultrasonography scoring system in the assessment of IgG4-related sialadenitis

To assess the diagnostic value of salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) for IgG4-related sialadenitis. Ultrasonography examination of major salivary glands was conducted for 48 IgG4-related sialadenitis patients and 50 Sjögren's syndrome patients, whose ages and disease duration were matched. The imaging features were graded using two different scoring systems (0-16 and 0-48, respectively) obtained from the grades of bilateral parotid and submandibular glands. The scores were used to further evaluate the features of salivary gland ultrasonography in IgG4-related sialadenitis and to compare them with Sjögren's syndrome patients. The association of SGUS scores of IgG4-related sialadenitis group with serological tests was analyzed. The mean age of IgG4-related sialadenitis group and Sjögren's syndrome group was 49.23 years and 50.44 years, respectively. The serum IgG4 level of the patients in the IgG4-related sialadenitis group was increased, with an average (9.60±6.43) g/L. And the serum IgE level was at a median of 251.5 (123.4-543.6) IU/mL. In the 0-16 system, the scores of submandibular glands of the patients in IgG4-related sialadenitis and Sjögren's syndrome were 6.0 (6.0-8.0) and 4.0 (2.0-8.0), and the scores of the total four glands were 10.0 (8.0-14.0) and 8.0 (4.0-12.0) respectively. In the 0-48 system, the scores of submandibular glands with IgG4-related sialadenitis and Sjögren's syndrome were 18.0 (14.5-20.0) and 11.0 (7.0-14.0), and the scores of the total four glands were 26.0 (18.5-34.0) and 21.5 (15.0-26.3) respectively. It suggested that in the 0-16 system and the 0-48 system, scores of submandibular glands and the total of four glands of IgG4-related sialadenitis were higher than those of Sjögren's syndrome. Meanwhile, the association analysis of 0-48 system showed a positive correlation of SGUS scores with serum IgG4, which also showed a positive correlation of SGUS scores with serum IgE in 0-16 system. Semi-quantitative ultrasonography scoring systems can evaluate and quantify the lesions of salivary glands, which can be helpful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of IgG4-related sialadenitis combined with the clinical manifestations, serological indicators and/or histopathological manifestations. Ultrasonography can also assess the activity of IgG4-related sialadenitis preliminarily.

The Utility of Major Salivary Gland Ultrasonographic Parameters in the Diagnosis of Sjögren Syndrome.

Objective To investigate ultrasonographically the salivary glands and to correlate ultrasonographic parameters with focus score, serum beta-2-microglobulin, and stimulated salivary flow rate. Material and Methods 32 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and 32 healthy controls were enrolled in this case-control study, performed in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania. All the patients and controls were examined by salivary gland ultrasonography (B-mode, color and spectral Doppler, and sonoelastography), determining the following parameters: salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) score, resistive index (RI) of transverse facial artery, and shear wave velocity (SWV). Serum beta-2-microglobulin and stimulated saliva amount were determined in all the patients and controls. Minor salivary gland biopsy with focus score assessment was done in pSS patients. Results Patients with pSS presented higher SGUS score and parotid and submandibular SWV and reduced RI of transverse facial artery than controls (p < 0.0001). In pSS patients, statistically significant correlations were identified between assessed ultrasonographic parameters and focus score, serum beta-2-microglobulin, and respective stimulated saliva flow (p < 0.0001). Conclusions This study highlighted statistically significant correlations between salivary gland ultrasonographic parameters and focus score, serum beta-2-microglobulin, and stimulated saliva flow.

Radiomics-Based Assessment of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome From Salivary Gland Ultrasonography Images.

Salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) has shown good potential in the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). However, a series of international studies have reported needs for improvements of the existing pSS scoring procedures in terms of inter/intra observer reliability before being established as standardized diagnostic tools. The present study aims to solve this problem by employing radiomics features and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to make the pSS scoring more objective and faster compared to human expert scoring. The assessment of AI algorithms was performed on a two-centric cohort, which included 600 SGUS images (150 patients) annotated using the original SGUS scoring system proposed in 1992 for pSS. For each image, we extracted 907 histogram-based and descriptive statistics features from segmented salivary glands. Optimal feature subsets were found using the genetic algorithm based wrapper approach. Among the considered algorithms (seven classifiers and five regressors), the best preforming was the multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifier (κ = 0.7). The MLP over-performed average score achieved by the clinicians (κ = 0.67) by the considerable margin, whereas its reliability was on the level of human intra-observer variability (κ = 0.71). The presented findings indicate that the continuously increasing HarmonicSS cohort will enable further advancements in AI-based pSS scoring methods by SGUS. In turn, this may establish SGUS as an effective noninvasive pSS diagnostic tool, with the final goal to supplement current diagnostic tests.

Video clip assessment of a salivary gland ultrasound scoring system in Sjögren’s syndrome using consensual definitions: an OMERACT ultrasound working group reliability exercise

ObjectiveTo develop ultrasound (US) definitions and a US novel scoring system for major salivary gland (SG) lesions in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) and to test their intrareader and...

Salivary gland ultrasonography findings are associated with clinical, histological, and serologic features of Sjögren’s syndrome

Objective: Salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) has been applied in the diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). The aim of this study is to investigate the association of SGUS findings with clinical, histological, and serologic features of SS.Methods: A total of 104 patients with suspected SS underwent SGUS for evaluation of salivary gland involvement. Patients with primary SS were determined according to the classification criteria for SS. The parenchymal inhomogeneity of bilateral parotid and submandibular glands was graded from 0 (homogeneity) to 4 (gross inhomogeneity). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to compare the diagnostic performance of different SGUS scoring methods. Clinical and serologic features were compared between groups classified by SGUS score. The association between SGUS and these features of SS was explored by multivariable linear regression analysis.Results: Study participants were predominantly women (96.2%) and had a mean age of 54.1 years. Eighty-seven patients and 88 patients with primary SS were identified based on AECG criteria and ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SS, respectively. Among the different scoring methods, the sum of the grades of four salivary glands (range 0–16) had the best diagnostic performance, with sensitivity of 77.3% and specificity of 87.5% (cutoff value, 7) for distinguishing primary SS from sicca non-SS. SGUS score was associated with focus score in labial salivary gland biopsy (β = 0.240, p = 0.033) and anti-Ro/SSA serology (β = 0.283, p = 0.016) and inversely associated with unstimulated whole salivary flow (β = −0.298, p = 0.011).Conclusion: Ultrasonography of major salivary glands is associated with histopathology of minor salivary glands, serology of SS, and salivary gland function.

Effect of rituximab on a salivary gland ultrasound score in primary Sjögren’s syndrome: results of the TRACTISS randomised double-blind multicentre substudy

ObjectivesTo compare the effects of rituximab versus placebo on salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (PSS) in a multicentre, multiobserver phase III trial substudy.MethodsSubjects consenting to SGUS were...

Diagnostic value of salivary gland ultrasonography for Sjӧgren's syndrome in patients with sicca symptoms

Aim of the workTo assess the diagnostic value of salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) for Sjӧgren's syndrome (SS) and to compare it with minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) in patients with sicca symptoms. Patients and methodsThirty patients with suspected SS (sicca symptoms only) were included in the study. The diagnosis of SS was confirmed according to the 2012 American College of Rheumatology criteria. SGUS was performed for all patients and the bilateral echostructure of the parotid and submandibular glands were graded from 0 to 3. SGUS score ≥2 was considered abnormal. A complete work up for SS was performed in all patients including a standardized clinical examination performed by the same rheumatologist, serological and laboratory tests, ocular tests and MSGB. Schirmer’s test and the Ocular Staining Score (OSS) using rose Bengal were performed. ResultsOf the 30 patients, 10 had primary sicca symptoms (mean age 42.3±13.1years) and 20 secondary (49.5±8.6years) and most were females. The frequency of SS syndrome by ACR criteria was 6.7%. By adding ultrasound item to ACR criteria (SGUS score ≥2) the frequency of SS syndrome increased to 10%. The SGUS (cutoff score ≥2) showed a sensitivity of 66.6% and a specificity of 85.2% for SS diagnosis. Histopathology of MSGB showed no significant correlation with SGUS scores and remained the most diagnostic method for SS that had sensitivity and specificity of 100%. ConclusionSGUS is a noninvasive method with high diagnostic value for diagnosis of primary and secondary SS.

Comparison of the diagnostic value of four scoring systems in primary sjögren’s syndrome patients

PurposeWe attempted to evaluate the diagnostic value of different salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) scoring systems for primary sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). MethodsTotal 134 patients with pSS and 109 non-SS sicca controls were included in our study. All the cases were evaluated by four scoring systems (such as 0–16 SGUS, 0–3 SGUS, Parotid glands and Submandibular salivary glands scoring system). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for the four scoring systems. ResultsThe mean scores of pSS patients were significantly higher than that of controls by four scoring systems (P<0.01). The AUC (area under the curve) of (0–16) SGUS scoring system (0.916) was higher than Submandibular salivary glands scoring system (0.885) (P=0.016). No significant difference of AUC was observed in (0–3) SGUS scoring system, compared with 0–16, parotid gland and submandibular salivary glands scoring system. The optimal cutoff value of (0–16) SGUS, (0–3) SGUS, Parotid gland, Submandibular salivary glands scoring system was 5, 2, 3, 2, respectively. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity and specificity of the four scoring systems. ConclusionThe simplified parotid gland scoring system may be the simplified and feasible method for pSS diagnosis.

Time-course of ultrasound abnormalities of major salivary glands in suspected Sjögren's syndrome

ObjectiveTo evaluate whether major salivary-gland ultrasonography (SGUS) abnormalities change over time in patients with suspected primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) during the natural course of the disease. MethodsWe studied patients with suspected pSS who were included in the Brittany cohort of suspected pSS and underwent SGUS at least twice, as part of the routine diagnostic workup done at baseline then at least 1 year later as an additional investigation deemed appropriate by the physician. The evaluation criteria were the semi-quantitative SGUS score (0–4) for each parotid and submandibular gland, the highest SGUS score among the four glands, and the sum of SGUS scores for the four glands. These scores were compared in patients with and without pSS according to the workup at baseline, and their changes over time were assessed. ResultsOf 49 included patients, 29 received a diagnosis of pSS at baseline; none of the remaining 20 patients was diagnosed with pSS at either evaluation. The mean (SD) sum of SGUS scores at baseline was 8.9 (5.6) in patients with and 2.1 (2.9) in those without pSS (P<0.01). Mean time between SGUSs was 1.9 (1.6) years. None of the evaluation criteria changed between the two SGUSs in the overall population, pSS group, or group without pSS. Similar results were found in the subgroup with recent-onset symptoms. ConclusionSGUS abnormalities assessed using a semi-quantitative score did not change significantly during a follow-up of nearly 2 years after an initial evaluation for suspected pSS.

Salivary Gland Ultrasonography and Its Spplications in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome and Sicca Symptoms: A Preliminary Report

Objective: To assess the utility of salivary gland ultrasonography for Sjogren's syndrome and patients with sicca symptoms, including the correlations between clinical parameters and patients' symptoms. Methods: Patients that fulfilled the classification criteria proposed by American College of Rheumatology for primary Sjogren's syndrome and secondary Sjogren's syndrome, and patients with sicca symptoms were enrolled. A total of 25 patients were collected. Their clinical and serological data were obtained from medical records and laboratory databases. Salivary ultrasonography was performed for parotid glands and submandibular glands, and each gland was scored 0-4, with a total maximum score of 16. The EULAR Sjogren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) was arranged for evaluation of patient symptoms. Results: The median ESSPRI scores for primary Sjogren's syndrome and secondary Sjogren's syndrome, and for patients with sicca symptoms were 13.00 (IQR: 5.00-16.00), 11.00 (IQR: 7.00-15.00), and 10.50 (IQR: 5.50-19.75), respectively. The salivary gland ultrasonography score correlated with the serum anti- La/SSB (β-coefficient 0.022, p 0.026), total ESSPRI score (β-coefficient 0.337, p 0.02) and dryness score (β-coefficient 0.717, p 0.035), but not with the serum anti-Ro/SSA level, pain score, and fatigue score. Conclusion: Salivary ultrasonography provides a easy access for evaluation of the severity of salivary gland involvement in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and sicca symptoms, and correlates with the patients' clinical symptoms score and serum anti-La/SSB level; therefore, they may be parameters that can be used in evaluating patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

SAT0021 Prognostic Value of Salivary Gland Ultrasonography (SGUS) in Primary SjÖGren's Syndrome

ObjectivesRecently, salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) has been presented as a promising diagnostic tool for primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). The aim of the current study was to assess the prognostic value...

THU0004 Patterns of Inflammation and Dysfunction of the Salivary Glands in Patients Newly Diagnosed with SjÖGren's Syndrome

BackgroundSjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease mainly characterized by exocrine glands dysfunction and inflammation. A great deal of variation in the intensity of the infiltrate in minor salivary...