A DIAGNOSTIC AND ETIOLOGIC STUDIES OF SJÖGREN'S SYNDROME

II.ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SJÖGREN'S SYNDROME AND CHRONIC THYROIDITIS

Abstract

The histopathological findings of the salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome and of the thyroid gland in chronic thyroiditis have similarity in lymphocytic infiltration of the stroma and decrease or disappearance of parenchyma.In order to investigate the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome, the author performed serological and histopathological examination of the thyroid gland in 89 confirmed cases of SjSgren's syndrome and 26 suspected cases, a total of 115 subjects and the following results were obtained.
1)Thyroidal microsomal and thyroglobulin antibodies were detected in 34.5% and 21.4% of 89 confirmed Sj&gren's syndroma.
2)The positivity rate of the antithyroid antibodies increased in the more severe histopathological changes of the thyroid gland and thyroidal microsomal antibody, in particular, reflected the absence or presence of lymphocytic infiltration of the stroma.
3)The correlation between histopathological findings of the thyroid gland and titers of antithyroid antibodies was insignificant.
4)The correlation between histopathological grading of thyroid gland and of salivary glands was insignificant.
5)Approximately 30% of confirmed cases of Sjögren's syndrome presented chronic thyroiditis as a complication, therefore, it was suggested that both Sjögren's syndrome and chronic thyroiditis might have a common etiology.