The oral component of Sjögren's syndrome.

This study reports the results of an interdisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome in 100 patients. Ocular and systemic diagnoses and oral features from the history and physical examination are correlated with measurements of stimulated parotid flow rate and labial salivary gland histopathology. A new diagnostic criterion is introduced whereby labial salivary gland focus scores are used to establish the presence of the oral component of Sjögren's syndrome in place of the subjective evaluation of xerostomia. The differential diagnosis of the oral clinical features of Sjögren's syndrome and the clinical management of the oral component of this disease are discussed.