The following tests are routinely performed in the evaluation of a patient with suspected Sjogren’s syndrome:
UrinalysisUrinalysis detects a variety of abnormalities in the kidney or genitourinary system, including the bladder. Protein in the urine (proteinuria) is an indication of kidney disease, either stemming from a disorder of the glomerulus (the filtering structure) or the tubules (the structures within the kidney responsible for reabsorbing filtered salts, water, and acids from the initial blood filtrate). Blood in the urine may arise from a glomerular disease or from a disorder in the urine collecting system or bladder (such as a kidney stone or tumor). White blood cells in the urine denote the presence of inflammation or infection anywhere in the kidneys, urine collecting system, bladder, or urethra. The specific gravity is an indirect measure of the concentration of the urine. The pH indicates the extent of urine acidification. In Sjögren’s syndrome, the most common abnormality is inflammation in the tissue surrounding the tubules (interstitial nephritis), and this may lead to poorly concentrated urine (with a low specific gravity), protein in the urine, and occasionally a high urine pH. Inflammation or damage in the glomerulus (glomerulonephritis) is a less common form of kidney disease in Sjögren’s syndrome and is characterized by protein in the urine, occasionally with red and/or white cells. What does positive Sjogren's antibody SSWhat does it mean to have elevated Sjögren's antibodies? Elevated Sjögren's antibodies—anti-SS-A and anti-SS-B—are suggestive of inflammatory connective tissue disease. Elevated results on this test may indicate Sjögren's syndrome or another autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
What is the Sjogren's anti ssThe Sjogren Anti SS-A test looks for a specific type of auto antibody, SS-A, which is commonly associated with Sjogren's Syndrome. Sjogren's is an autoimmune disease, a disorder in which a person's immune system turns against the body's own cells.
What is the difference between Sjogren's A and B?SS-A and SS-B antibodies are examples of two antibodies that bind molecular targets within our own cells. SS-A antibodies are found in approximately 60-80% of Sjögren's syndrome patients. SS-B antibodies are less common, being found in approximately 30-50% of Sjögren's syndrome patients.
What is Sjogren's antibodies SSSjögren's antibody (SS-B) is present only if Sjögren's antibody (SS-A) is also detected. The presence of both antibodies (SS-A and SS-B) strengthen the diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome and conveys prognostic information.
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