Comparison between ACA+ SS and ACA–SS.
| ACA+ SS, n = 26 | ACA–SS, n = 420 | p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics | |||
| Age, yrs, mean ± SD | 55.7 ± 10.5 | 53.2 ± 13.4 | NS |
| Sex | |||
| Male | 0 | 39 | NS |
| Female | 26 | 381 | NS |
| Clinical differences | |||
| Prevalence of RP (%) | 88 | 28 | < 0.001 |
| Serological markers | |||
| Prevalence of positive Ro/La antibodies (%) | 35 | 77 | < 0.001 |
| Prevalence of elevated serum IgG (%) | 24 | 57 | < 0.001 |
| Average levels of serum IgG, gm/l | 12.4 | 19.4 | < 0.001 |
| Xerophthalmia | |||
| Prevalence of xerophthalmia (%) | 96 | 96 | NS |
| Severity of xerophthalmia (on VAS, max 10) | 7 ± 2.4 | 6.4 ± 2.6 | NS |
| Average van Bijsterveld score | 5.7 ± 2.2 | 5.6 ± 2.3 | NS |
| Schirmer-I test, mm/5 min | 3.2 ± 1.8 | 4.2 ± 4.4 | < 0.05 |
| Duration, yrs, range | 5.4 (0–20) | 7.5 (0–50) | NS |
| Xerostomia | |||
| Prevalence of xerostomia (%) | 100 | 98 | NS |
| Severity of xerostomia (on VAS, max 10) | 8.5 ± 1.4 | 6.7 ± 2.4 | < 0.001 |
| USSF, ml/15 min | 0.1 | 0.4 | < 0.001 |
| Duration, yrs, range | 5.8 (0–22) | 6.8 (0–45) | NS |
| Salivary gland biopsy | |||
| Focus score ≥ 1 (%) | 92 | 84 | < 0.001 |
| Average focus score | 5.5 ± 4.3 | 4.0 ± 3.3 | NS |
| Average fibrosis score (out of 3) | 1.0 ± 0.82 | 1.1 ± 0.68 | NS |
Normal serum IgG levels are 7–16 g/l in healthy patients. Rose bengal test evaluates ocular surface epithelial damage (out of 9). Schirmer-I test measures lacrimal gland production. Normal USSF ≥ 1.5 mm/15 min. Salivary gland biopsy positive result: ≥ 1 focus per 4 mm2. SS: Sjögren syndrome; ACA: anticentromere antibodies; NS: not significant; RP: Raynaud phenomenon; VAS: visual analog scale; USSF: unstimulated whole salivary flow.