Early diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome: the role of biopsy of the minor salivary glands

Sjögren’s Syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the exocrine glands. This pathology causes glandular secretory disorders affecting the patient’s quality of life. 61 patients were clinically examined in a 2-year time period (2018-2019), 53 females and 8 males. All patients underwent a biopsy of the minor salivary glands at the San Salvatore Hospital (L’Aquila). The study shows that Sjögren’s Syndrome is a disease that mainly involves women, the age group 50-80 years with the major part of the patients graded in G1. Here is a demonstration of the fact that Sjögren’s Syndrome is a highly disabling disease that creates a deterioration in the quality of life. It is essential to be able to recognize signs and symptoms for an earlier diagnosis.