The Relationship Between Pathological Findings of Minor Salivary Gland Biopsy Performed at the Time of Diagnosis and Schirmer Test and Serological Tests in Patients with primary Sjögren's Syndrome

Aim Our aim was to assess the correlation between minor salivary gland pathology and the results of Schirmer and serological tests conducted during the diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Method A total of 41 patients who were diagnosed with pSS after having serological tests, minor salivary gland biopsy and Schirmer test performed at our institution at the time of diagnosis between June 2018 and July 2023 were included in the study. Focus score, atrophy and fibrosis values were scored in biopsy samples. The relationship between histopathological findings and clinical, Schirmer test and serological tests was evaluated. Results Of the 41 patients, 38 were female (92.7%), 3 (7%) were male, and the average age was 55.54 ± 14.06. In patients with focal score≥1, antinuclear antibody value≥1/320 (42.9%), rheumatoid factor positivity (28.6%), anti Sjögren's syndrome (SS) A/SSB positivity (76.2%, 38.1%) ) was detected at a higher rate. Additionally, acinar atrophy and fibrosis were higher in patients with focus score≥1, and there was a significant relationship between fibrosis (p