The diagnosis value of β2-microglobulin and immunoglobulins in primary Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract

Salivary and serum concentrations of β₂-microglobulin, salivary levels of the immunoglobulins, and salivary flow (as measured by a gravimetric method) were assessed in 34 patients and 11 controls. Of the 34 study patients, 16 had a primary form of Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and 18 had sicca syndrome. The salivary and serum concentrations of β₂-microglobulin and salivary levels of IgA and IgG were much higher in the patients with pSS than in controls or those with sicca syndrome (p2-microglobulin was highly significant (p2-microglobulin salivary IgG, and to a lesser degree, salivary IgM have high specificity and positive predictive value. Because they are non-invasive and easily repeatable, the measurement of salivary and serum β₂-microglobulin concentrations and salivary IgG and IgM levels are proposed as aids in the management of patients with pSS.