Fig. 4.

Clinical parameters in pSS patients with different (pre)LEL stages in labial and parotid gland biopsies

Clinical parameters in three groups of pSS patients: (1) patients without LELs and without pre-LELs, (2) patients with pre-LELs only, and (3) patients with full-blown LELs within labial (A–F) and parotid (G–L) salivary gland biopsies. (A, G) focus score (FS); (B, H) unstimulated whole saliva (UWS); (C, I) ocular staining scores (OSS); (D, J) Eular Sjögren’s syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI) scores; (E, K) RF levels; (F, L) IgG levels. Horizontal bars represent medians. Overall differences between groups were analysed by Kruskal–Wallis tests, overall P-values are presented below the graphs. In cases where overall P-values were <0.05, Mann–Whitney U tests were used to test between-group differences. Dotted lines represent cut-off values of clinical parameters: (B, K) UWS = 0.10 ml/min; (C, I) OSS = 5; (E, K) RF = 5 IU/ml; (F, L) IgG = 16 g/l. LEL: lymphoepithelial lesion, pre-LEL: striated duct without hyperplasia with infiltrating B-lymphocytes.