Primary Sjögren's syndrome: The diagnostic and prognostic value of salivary gland ultrasonography using a simplified scoring system.

Objective: To determine the usefulness and prognostic value of a simplified salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) scoring system in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Methods: Patients with pSS (n=105) and controls (n=57) were evaluated using a simplified SGUS scoring system. Parenchymal homogeneity in salivary glands was graded from 0 to 3, grades 0 (normal) and 1 (mild inhomogeneity) being interpreted as normal or unspecific, and grades 2 (several rounded) and 3 (numerous or confluent hypoechoic lesions) as pSS-typical. Associations between SGUS and clinical, histological and laboratory disease characteristics were analyzed. Results: The characteristic hypoechoic lesions (score 2 or 3) were found in 52% of pSS patients and in 1 (1.8%) of controls, p