Atrophic change of tongue papilla in 44 patients with Sjögren syndrome

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the atrophic change of tongue papilla in Sjögren syndrome (SjS) patients and the correlation with characteristic features of the disease.Study designAtrophic change of tongue papilla, investigated by a digital microscope, was classified from score 0 (normal) to score 6 (severe) and compared among 44 SjS patients, 20 xerostomia patients, and 20 healthy subjects. In SjS patients, correlation of the atrophic score of tongue papilla with characteristic changes in sialometry, sialography, lip biopsy, and serologic tests was also investigated.ResultsThe atrophic score of tongue papilla was significantly higher in SjS patients and correlated with the decrease of salivary secretion, the stage on sialography, and the histologic grade of the minor salivary gland.ConclusionAtrophic change of tongue papilla is significant in SjS patients and is correlated with the characteristic features of the disease.