Objectives We propose new classification criteria for Sjögren’s Syndrome (SS), which are needed considering the emergence of biological agents as potential treatments and their associated co-morbidity. These criteria target individuals with signs/symptoms suggestive of SS. Methods Criteria are based on expert opinion elicited using the Nominal Group Technique, and analyses of data from the Sjögren’s International Collaborative Clinical Alliance. Preliminary criteria validation included comparisons with classifications based on the American-European-Consensus-Group (AECG) criteria, a model-based “gold standard” obtained from Latent Class Analysis (LCA) of data from a range of diagnostic tests, and a comparison with cases and controls collected from sources external to the population used for criteria development Results Validation results indicate high levels of sensitivity and specificity for the criteria. Case definition requires at least 2 out of the following 3: Positive serum anti-SSA and/or anti-SSB or [positive rheumatoid factor and ANA ≥ 1:320]; Ocular staining score ≥ 3; Presence of focal lymphocytic sialadenitis with focus score ≥ 1 focus/4mm2 in labial salivary gland biopsies. Observed agreement with the AECG criteria is high when these are applied using all objective tests. However, AECG classification based on allowable substitutions of symptoms for objective tests results in poor agreement with the proposed and LCA-derived classifications. Conclusion These classification criteria developed from registry data collected using standardized measures are based on objective tests. Validation indicates improved classification performance relative to existing alternatives, making them more suitable for application in situations where misclassification may present health risks.

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Objective: To assess the health related quality of life of patients with primary Sjögren's Syndrome (PSS) in a large US sample.

The EULAR Sjögren's syndrome (SS) disease activity index (ESSDAI) is a systemic disease activity index that was designed to measure disease activity in patients with primary SS. With the growing use of the ESSDAI, some domains appear to be more challenging to rate than others. The ESSDAI is now in use as a gold standard to measure disease activity in clinical studies, and as an outcome measure, even a primary outcome measure, in current randomised clinical trials. Therefore, ensuring an accurate and reproducible rating of each domain, by providing a more detailed definition of each domain, has emerged as an urgent need. The purpose of the present article is to provide a user guide for the ESSDAI. This guide provides definitions and precisions on the rating of each domain. It also includes some minor improvement of the score to integrate advance in knowledge of disease manifestations. This user guide may help clinicians to use the ESSDAI, and increase the reliability of rating and consequently of the ability to detect true changes over time. This better appraisal of ESSDAI items, along with the recent definition of disease activity levels and minimal clinically important change, will improve the assessment of patients with primary SS and facilitate the demonstration of effectiveness of treatment for patients with primary SS.

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