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Clinicopathological Findings Consistent with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome in a Subset of Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Preliminary Observations DAVID A. SIROIS and BENJAMIN NATELSON
ABSTRACT.
Methods. Twenty-five subjects with CFS and 18 healthy control subjects were interviewed and examined, had a Schirmer test and fluorescein tear dilution, and underwent minor salivary gland (MSG) biopsy. Antibody to nuclear antigen as well as anti-La (SSA) and anti-Ro (SSB) antibody were available for subjects with CFS. Pathologists unaware of the subject group assignment examined labial salivary gland biopsy specimens and calculated a standard MSG score for each specimen. Results. Mucosal dryness was reported by 13/25 (52%) subjects with CFS, of which 8 (32%) also had MSG score, low Schirmer test value, and symptoms consistent with primary SS (p = 0.05). No control subject met diagnostic criteria for primary SS. MSG focus scores ¾ 1 were common among both groups (CFS 14/25; controls 15/18). MSG results without pathological alteration were rare, seen in only one control and no CFS patients. Low Schirmer values were found in 10/25 (40%) CFS patients and 1/18 (6%) control (p = 0.01). Conclusion. A subset of patients with CFS may have primary SS. (J Rheumatol 2001;28:126-31) Key Indexing Terms:
SJÖGREN'S SYNDROME
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