[Primary Gougerot-Sjogren syndrome. Spontaneous one-year course of clinical, biological and histological signs].

OBJECTIVES: The natural clinical course of primary Sjogren's syndrome was followed in 8 patients to identify the concomitant functional, clinical, biological, scintigraphic and histological manifestations of the disease. METHODS: The diagnosis of primary Sjogren's syndrome was made on the basis of functional signs (ocular or salivary sicca syndrome) and 2 positive tests among the 3 objective ocular tests (Schirmer's test, break-up time, Rose Bengale). Work-up included recording of functional and clinical signs, ophthalmologic examination and laboratory tests at diagnosis and every 3 months for 12 months. Scintigraphy of the salivary glands was performed together with a biopsy at diagnosis and at 12 months. RESULTS: No one parameter varied significantly over a 1 year period demonstrating the lack of need for renewed examinations for diagnosis or regular follow-up. CONCLUSION: This is the first report providing a homogeneous series studied by one team over a determined period of time. It demonstrates that clinical, biological and anatomic criteria for primary Sjogren's syndrome do not show any correlation between functional signs and objective ocular tests.