Fig. 4.

Saliva properties and the perception of dryness. BI is a subjective measure of dry mouth based on a two-part patient questionnaire with a larger number denoting greater discomfort. BI of SS patients plotted against (A) UWMS flow rate and (B) LL.RMS wetness. An estimation of the clinically expected trend lines are shown on A and B. The red circles represent the area where patients have a lower BI than would be expected from their UWMS flow rate and LL.RMS wetness, designated the sialyl-compensated group. (C) The relative percentage of the disialylated core 2 structure in UWMS plotted against spinnbarkeit of SS patients and controls. BI is the average bother index score of SS patients in the circle and LL.RMS the average volume (μl) of lower labial RMS from patients in the red (sialyl-compensated group), blue (sialyl/flow reduced group), and green (sialyl/flow deficient group) circles. Letter plot points (A-K) denote specific SS patients and black circles are controls.