Introduction. The diagnostic value of salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is not completely known. Whether qualitative or quantitative methods of SGS interpretation are the most appropriate remains a matter of debate. We sought to determine whether the diagnostic discrimination of quantitative excretion fraction is higher compared to SGS qualitative visual analysis in a cohort of subjects with suspected SS. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional study that encompassed 204 subjects who underwent SGS for potential SS diagnosis. Based on clinical judgement, three groups were established: SS, non-SS autoimmune diseases (AID non-SS) and neither SS nor other AID (non-AID). In addition, American-European Consensus Group -AECG-and American College of Rheumatology -ACR-criteria were applied. Qualitative diagnosis through visual analysis -normal vs. abnormal and Schall's classi cation grade-and semiquantitative and quantitative excretion fraction (EF%) scores were established following SGS assessment. The diagnostic discrimination of the different SGS scores for the various SS diagnostic modalities (clinical judgement and AECG and ACR criteria) was compared through their areas under the curve (AUC).Results. Most SGS parameters were signi cantly associated with SS-related clinical and laboratory features. Schall's grade ≥ III was signi cantly more frequent in SS than in non-SS patients. In general, EF%-derived parameters did not show signi cant differences between groups. AUC of Schall's classi cation reached statistical signi cance in its diagnostic discrimination for SS clinical judgement (AUC 0.704 [95%CI 0.597-0.811], p = 0.000) and AECG criteria (AUC 0.764 [95%CI 0.641-0.886], p = 0.000). Similarly the EF% submandibular mean (AUC 0.737 [95%CI 0.546-0.931] p = 0.032) was signi cantly associated with SS diagnosis through ACR criteria. However, AUC comparisons between qualitative and quantitative methods did not yield signi cant values.Conclusion. SS diagnostic discrimination of EF% is not superior to that obtained by qualitative visual analysis.
Introduction. The diagnostic value of salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) in Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is not completely known. Whether qualitative or quantitative methods of SGS interpretation are the most appropriate remains a matter of debate. We sought to determine whether the diagnostic discrimination of quantitative excretion fraction is higher compared to SGS qualitative visual analysis in a cohort of subjects with suspected SS. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional study that encompassed 204 subjects who underwent SGS for potential SS diagnosis. Based on clinical judgement, three groups were established: SS, non-SS autoimmune diseases (AID non-SS) and neither SS nor other AID (non-AID). In addition, American-European Consensus Group -AECG- and American College of Rheumatology -ACR- criteria were applied. Qualitative diagnosis through visual analysis -normal vs. abnormal and Schall’s classification grade- and semiquantitative and quantitative excretion fraction (EF%) scores were established following SGS assessment. The diagnostic discrimination of the different SGS scores for the various SS diagnostic modalities (clinical judgement and AECG and ACR criteria) was compared through their areas under the curve (AUC). Results. Most SGS parameters were significantly associated with SS-related clinical and laboratory features. Schall’s grade ≥ III was significantly more frequent in SS than in non-SS patients. In general, EF%-derived parameters did not show significant differences between groups. AUC of Schall’s classification reached statistical significance in its diagnostic discrimination for SS clinical judgement (AUC 0.704 [95%CI 0.597–0.811], p = 0.000) and AECG criteria (AUC 0.764 [95%CI 0.641–0.886], p = 0.000). Similarly the EF% submandibular mean (AUC 0.737 [95%CI 0.546–0.931] p = 0.032) was significantly associated with SS diagnosis through ACR criteria. However, AUC comparisons between qualitative and quantitative methods did not yield significant values. Conclusion. SS diagnostic discrimination of EF% is not superior to that obtained by qualitative visual analysis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.