Clinical manifestations and histopathological/laboratory/serological features in the pSS-MALT patients with and without tongue atrophy. Values are n (%).
| Variables | pSS-MALT without Tongue Atrophy, n = 6 | pSS-MALT with Tongue Atrophy, n = 13 | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical manifestations | |||
| Oral dryness (subjective) | 6/6 (100) | 12/13 (92) | 1.000 |
| Ocular dryness (subjective) | 6/6 (100) | 11/13 (85) | 1.000 |
| SGE | 4/6 (67) | 7/13 (54) | 1.000 |
| Raynaud phenomenon | 1/6 (17) | 6/13 (46) | 0.333 |
| Palpable purpura | 1/6 (17) | 1/13 (7) | 1.000 |
| Arthralgias/myalgias | 4/6 (67) | 10/13 (77) | 1.000 |
| Arthritis | 2/6 (33) | 2/13 (15) | 0.557 |
| Lymphadenopathy | 0/6 (0) | 5/13 (38) | 0.128 |
| Histopathological/laboratory/serological features | |||
| MSG biopsy focus score ≥ 1 | 5/6 (83) | 11/13 (85) | 1.000 |
| MSG biopsy Tarpley score > 2 | 6/6 (100) | 11/13 (85) | 1.000 |
| Leukopenia* | 0/6 (0) | 2/13 (15) | 1.000 |
| ANA-positive† | 5/6 (83) | 11/13 (85) | 1.000 |
| C4 hypocomplementemia◊ | 1/5 (20) | 8/12 (67) | 0.131 |
| Anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB positive | 2/5 (40) | 12/13 (92) | 0.015 |
| RF-positive | 4/4 (100) | 12/12 (100) | 1.000 |
| Monoclonal gammopathy | 2/5 (40) | 3/12 (25) | 0.600 |
↵* Defined as white blood cells < 3000/mm3 on 3 separate occasions.
↵† Titers > 1:160.
↵◊ Defined as serum C4 levels < 20 mg/dl on 3 separate occasions. Values in bold face are statistically significant. pSS: primary Sjögren syndrome; MALT: mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue; SGE: salivary gland enlargement; MSG: minor salivary gland; ANA: antinuclear antibody; RF: rheumatoid factor.