Ocular surface and salivary gland involvement in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease

Purpose: Many reports have indicated an association between thyroid dieases and primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcomes of the tests used for dry eye diagnosis and salivary gland involvement in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Methods: Forty-two patients (group 1) with autoimmune thyroid disease and 30 controls (group 2) were selected. Tear film break up time, Schirmer I test, Schirmer II test, ocular staining with 1% rose Bengal and salivary gland cintilography were performed in both groups. Results: Regarding the ocular surface damage observed by Rose Bengal test there was no difference between groups (p=0.77). For tear film break up time the groups did not differ statistically (p=0.46). There was no statistical difference between groups 1 and control in scintigraphy of the salivary gland (p=0.99). A statistical difference between the patients with thyroid disease and the control group was seem only in the Schirmer II test (p=0.0009). Conclusions: No patients fulfilled all criteria for Sjögren’s syndrome. It is possible that it could be underestimated.