Multimodal Assessment and Characterization of Sicca Syndrome

Emelie Kramer; Tabea Seeliger; Thomas Skripuletz; Vega Gödecke; Sonja Beider; Alexandra Jablonka; Torsten Witte; Diana Ernst

doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.777599

Multimodal Assessment and Characterization of Sicca Syndrome

Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Dec 15:8:777599. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.777599. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Emelie Kramer¹, Tabea Seeliger², Thomas Skripuletz², Vega Gödecke^{3

4}, Sonja Beider¹, Alexandra Jablonka¹, Torsten Witte¹, Diana Ernst¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
² Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
³ Centre for Rare Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
⁴ Department of Nephrology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Abstract

Background: Sicca syndrome represents a heterogeneous group of conditions, such as Sjögren syndrome, causing xerophthalmiaand xerostomia. This study characterizes in depth patients with Sicca syndrome and evaluates salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS). Methods: Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering of clinical parameters, such as ESSPRI, ESSDAI and laboratory data, were performed on all referrals for assessment of Sicca symptoms between October 2018 and March 2021. SGUS and labial gland biopsies were compared across groups. Results: A total of 583 patients were assessed. Objective dryness was confirmed in 73% of the patients. Cluster analysis identified 3 groups with post-hoc analysis confirming distinct phenotypes: Somatic Group (283/583; 49%) with more frequent symptoms but limited objective dryness; Dry Without Autoimmune Features (DAF_neg, 206/584; 35%), and Dry With Autoimmune Features (DAF_pos, 94/584;16%). DAF_pos patients had highest autoantibody titers (anti-SSA(Ro) 240 vs. 3.6 vs. 3.8; p < 0.001), most extra-glandular manifestations (p < 0.001), and highest median SGUS Score (DAF_pos: 8 [IQR 4-10] vs. SG: 2 [1-4] vs. DAF_neg 4 [2-5]; p < 0.001). No tangible correlation with primary Sjögren syndrome criteria was observed. Discussion: SGUS score correlated with a subset of patients with Sjögren syndrome, identified in the DAF_pos cluster. This study highlights heterogeneity within sicca and, indeed, Sjögren syndrome, highlighting the need for further studies.

Keywords: Sjögren syndrome; lip biopsy; salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS); sicca symptoms; sicca syndrome.