Aims. (i) To analyze the in vivo corneal structure and sub-basal plexus nerves in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and no-SS dry eye by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and (ii) to correlate CSLM findings with tear function tests and with patients' subjective dryness. Methods. Seventeen patients with pSS, 16 no-SS dry eye, and 20 healthy volunteers were included. CSLM parameters taken into consideration included: basal epithelial integrity, corneal thickness, epithelial cellular density, keratocyte activation, and sub-basal plexus morphology. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS-13 (Chicago IL, USA). Results. CSLM pachymetric data and the superficial epithelium cell density were significantly lower in pSS versus no-SS dry eye (p < 0.0001); keratocyte activation and sub-basal nerve abnormalities were also more frequent in pSS patients (p < 0.0001). CSLM findings well correlated with both the ocular test results and the patients' perception of ocular dryness at the baseline and over the follow-up. Conclusion. CSLM might be a useful novel tool in the assessment of the involvement of the lachrymal functional unit in pSS.

In vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: A monocentric experience.

BALDINI, CHIARA;Ferro F;MOSCA, MARTA;NARDI, MARCO;BOMBARDIERI, STEFANO
2015-01-01

Abstract

Aims. (i) To analyze the in vivo corneal structure and sub-basal plexus nerves in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and no-SS dry eye by confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and (ii) to correlate CSLM findings with tear function tests and with patients' subjective dryness. Methods. Seventeen patients with pSS, 16 no-SS dry eye, and 20 healthy volunteers were included. CSLM parameters taken into consideration included: basal epithelial integrity, corneal thickness, epithelial cellular density, keratocyte activation, and sub-basal plexus morphology. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS-13 (Chicago IL, USA). Results. CSLM pachymetric data and the superficial epithelium cell density were significantly lower in pSS versus no-SS dry eye (p < 0.0001); keratocyte activation and sub-basal nerve abnormalities were also more frequent in pSS patients (p < 0.0001). CSLM findings well correlated with both the ocular test results and the patients' perception of ocular dryness at the baseline and over the follow-up. Conclusion. CSLM might be a useful novel tool in the assessment of the involvement of the lachrymal functional unit in pSS.
2015
Gabbriellini, G; Baldini, Chiara; Varanini, V; Notarstefano, C; Pepe, P; Fanucci, F; Ferro, F; Luciano, N; Mosca, Marta; Nardi, Marco; Bombardieri, St...espandi
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/671072
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