Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: Insights for the Stomatologist

Abstract

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease characterized by portal inflammation and immune-mediated destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Primary Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, mainly the lachrymal and salivary glands, in the absence of other definitively diagnosed rheumatologic disease. We report a diagnosed case of primary Sjögren's syndrome associated with PBC. A 59-year-old Caucasian woman went to oral evaluation reporting dry mouth, difficulty in eating associated with burning mouth syndrome, dysgeusia and dysphagia. Intraoral examination revealed extensive cervical caries, gingivitis, gingival retraction, angular cheilitis and atrophic tongue. Hyposalivation was detected by salivary flow and Schirmer's test was positive. Antinuclear and antimitochondrial antibodies were both positive. Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies were negative. A minor salivary gland biopsy of the lower lip was performed. Histopathologic analysis revealed lymphocytic infiltrate with destruction of salivary gland architecture in some areas and replacement of glandular tissues by mononuclear cells. Optimal management of PBC associated with Sjögren's syndrome requires a multidisciplinary approach as the key to optimal patient care. Dental practitioners should be able to recognize the clinical features of this associated condition. Appropriate dental care may prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease and oral infections as well as improve the patient's quality of life.

Introduction

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease characterized by portal inflammation and immune-mediated destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts, leading to fibrosis and liver cirrhosis [1]. Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, mainly the lachrymal and salivary glands, in the absence of other definitively diagnosed rheumatologic disease [2]. The involvement of non-exocrine organs such as the thyroid, kidney, heart, central/peripheral nervous system, lungs and liver has been reported in cases of pSS, liver involvement being considered a common complication in pSS [3, 4]. PBC is occasionally associated with Sjögren's syndrome and may result in liver cirrhosis. It primarily affects middle-aged women and is characterized by the presence of antimitochondrial antibodies (AMAs). Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and anti-smooth muscle antibody are found in about half of PBC patients and may be associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis [5, 6].

We report a diagnosed case of pSS in a patient with PBC. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Review Board of the Faculty of Medicine of Federal University of Bahia, protocol number 32559414.7.0000.5577, and is in accordance with Brazilian National Health Council Resolution 466/12.

Case Report

A 59-year-old Caucasian woman went to oral evaluation reporting dry mouth, difficulty in eating associated with burning mouth syndrome, dysgeusia, dysphagia, history of hypothyroidism and moderate pruritus. Intraoral examination revealed extensive cervical caries, gingivitis, gingival retraction, angular cheilitis and atrophic tongue (fig. 1a). Hyposalivation (1.0 ml/15 min) was detected by salivary flow measurement and Schirmer's test was positive (<5 mm in 5 min), confirming ocular involvement. Extraoral examination detected conjunctival pallor but did not reveal jaundice. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were absent. Panoramic radiograph examination showed generalized bone loss, presence of caries and chronic periapical lesions (fig. 1b).

Fig. 1.

a Mouth aspect at first clinical presentation. Note the severe atrophic tongue and bilateral angular cheilitis. b Panoramic radiograph taken at first clinical presentation. Note periapical lesions, caries and generalized bone loss.

The patient had a medical history of PBC and continuous treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid. In April 2013 she was admitted to a local hospital with a history of fatigue, myalgia and anorexia. Her past medical history included coronary artery disease with revascularization 15 years before. There was no history of alcohol or drug abuse. Laboratorial data revealed anemia (hemoglobin 5 g/dl; reference: 12.0–19.0 g/dl); white blood cell and blood platelet count were normal. Vitamin B12 serum level was normal and antiparietal cell antibodies were absent, excluding pernicious anemia. Liver function test showed alanine transaminase to be in the normal range, but aspartate transaminase showed a discrete increase (57.0 U/l; reference: <36 U/l). Albumin and total serum bilirubin were normal while direct serum delta bilirubin was a little increased (0.3 mg/dl; reference: 0.00–0.2 mg/dl). Alkaline phosphatase (342 IU/l; reference: 38–126 IU/l) as well as γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (110 IU/l; reference: 12–43 IU/l) were increased. Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody to hepatitis C virus were both negative, but hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc IgG) was reagent. Immunoglobulin A was normal, while elevated levels of immunoglobulin M (1,120 mg/l; reference: 40–230 mg/dl) and immunoglobulin G (2,557 mg/dl; reference: 650–1,600 mg/dl) were noted. ANAs with centromeric and cytoplasm reticular pattern were found; also, AMAs were positive (1:164 and 1:640, respectively). Anti-thyroid peroxidase autoantibody was negative.

Due to negative results of anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB antibodies, a minor salivary gland biopsy of the lower lip was performed. Histopathologic analysis revealed salivary gland acini and ducts in deeper stroma invaded by dense chronic inflammatory cells (fig. 2a). Focal lymphocytic infiltrate was observed with destruction of salivary gland architecture in some areas and replacement of glandular tissues by mononuclear cells (fig. 2b).

Fig. 2.

a Low-power (×100) H&E histology demonstrated salivary gland acini and ducts in deeper stroma invaded by dense chronic inflammatory cells. b Higher-power (×400) H&E histology demonstrated focal lymphocytic infiltrate with destruction of salivary gland architecture in some areas and replacement of glandular tissues by mononuclear cells.

During follow-up, the patient presented episodes of severe anemia due to occult gastrointestinal bleeding requiring blood transfusion. Gastric and jejunal vascular ectasia were observed by endoscopy and capsule endoscopy, respectively. Then gastric antral vascular ectasia was diagnosed. The patient has been submitted to argon plasma coagulation treatment, being under close monitoring as long as she has multiple comorbidities.

Discussion

PBC was diagnosed in its early stage based on liver function tests, AMA presence in serum and histopathologic pattern of the liver biopsy. The bilirubin level in described clinical reports has indicated a good prognosis in disease follow-up with use of ursodeoxycholic acid. The simultaneous coexistence of PBC and autoimmune disease such as Sjögren's syndrome and scleroderma in PBC has been previously reported [7].

The prevalence of pSS ranges from 0.2 to 3.0% of the population, being more frequent in women (9:1 female:male ratio), aged 40–60 years [8, 9]. The diagnosis of pSS was made according to the American-European consensus group [2]. There is no specific test for pSS and the literature presents a range of classification criteria. Many autoantibodies are associated with pSS, showing a different prevalence of specific antigens. The frequency of ANA in pSS is approximately 80% [9]. Anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB are found in 60 and 40%, respectively. These autoantibodies are also seen in 30% of systemic lupus erythematosus, being not totally specific for pSS [10]. ANAs were positive in the case reported, but anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB were negative. ANAs are found in more than two-thirds of pSS patients, but are not disease-specific either [8, 10]. According to the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria [11], the association of ANA and rheumatoid factor positivity may be sufficient for pSS diagnosis.

In the reported case rheumatoid factor was negative, requiring minor salivary biopsy in order to establish a diagnosis. The minor salivary gland biopsy of the lower lip evidenced a progressive focal infiltration of mononuclear lymphoid cells. Histopathologic analysis revealed salivary gland acini and ducts in deeper stroma invaded by dense chronic inflammatory cells. The present case showed many oral complications of Sjögren's syndrome such as dry mouth, difficulty in eating, tasting and swallowing associated with burning mouth, dysgeusia and dysphagia, caries, gingivitis, gingival retraction, angular cheilitis and atrophic tongue. Salivary flow reduction, detected by sialometry, may explain those conditions. Hyposalivation may lead to oral lesion such as caries, periodontal diseases and candidiasis, requiring preventive dental care in order to decrease the risk of oral infections [12, 13]. Reduced salivary flow rates result in changes in microbial plaque composition, increasing the number and frequency of cariogenic microorganisms [12]. Other xerostomia-related factors can contribute to caries, periodontal diseases and oral infection, such as a decrease in secretory immunoglobulin A, lower pH and reduced buffer capacity, increasing time for sugar clearance [12]. An inverse relationship between salivary flow rates and Candida infection has been reported [12, 13]. In the reported case, angular cheilitis was successfully treated with oral nystatin.

Xerostomia management is not well established in the literature, the use of systemic sialagogue medication showing the strongest evidence of effectiveness [13]. In the present case, the patient reported an increase in her quality of life after using salivary substitute. We opted for maintaining the use of topical salivary replacement due to the patient's comorbidities such as gastric antral vascular ectasia [14]. Adequate hydration and avoidance of potential oral mucosal irritants were recommended. The patient is under routine dental care that includes the use of fluoride preparations. In case of oral infection requiring dental surgery, as PBC may lead to liver cirrhosis, the surgeon should consider the risk of bleeding. In this particular case, the association of PBC with gastric antral vascular ectasia deserves concern [14]. A multidisciplinary team should evaluate the risk of presenting occult blood loss or severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Optimal management of PBC associated with Sjögren's syndrome requires a multidisciplinary approach as the key to optimal patient care. Dental practitioners should be able to recognize the clinical features of these associated conditions. Appropriate dental care may prevent tooth decay, periodontal disease and oral infections as well as improve the patient's quality of life.

Disclosure Statement

No conflict of interest exists.