Data from: Sialendoscopy enhances salivary gland function in Sjögren's syndrome: a 6 month follow-up, randomized and controlled, single blind study

Objectives: To assess the effect of sialendoscopy of the major salivary glands on salivary flow and xerostomia in patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Methods: Forty nine SS patients were randomly assigned to a control group (n=15) and two intervention groups: irrigation of the major glands with saline (n=16) or with saline followed by triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in saline (n=18). Unstimulated whole saliva flow (UWS), chewing stimulated whole saliva flow (SWS), citric-acid stimulated parotid flow (SPF), Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS), Xerostomia Inventory score (XI), and EULAR SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) were obtained 1 week (T0) before, and 1(T1), 8(T8), 16(T16), and 24(T24) weeks after sialendoscopy. Results: Median baseline UWS, SWS and SPF scores were, respectively, 0.14, 0.46, and 0.22mL/min. After intervention, significant increases in UWS and SWS were observed in the saline group (at T8 (p=0.013) and T24 (p=0.004)) and the saline/TA group (at T24 (p=0.03) and T=16 (p=0.035). SPF was increased significantly in the saline/TA group at T24 (p=0.03). XI scores declined after sialendoscopy in both intervention groups. Compared to the control group, CODS, XI, and ESSPRI improved in the intervention groups. UWS, SWS, and SPF were higher in the intervention groups compared to the control group, but these differences were not significant except for SPF in the saline/TA group at T24 (p=0.005). Conclusions: Irrigation of the major salivary glands in SS patients enhances salivary flow and reduces xerostomia up to 6 months after sialendoscopy.