The development and initial validation of the Liverpool sicca index to assess symptoms and dysfunction in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: A validated measure to assess sicca-related symptoms in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (1 degrees SS) is required for clinical studies.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess sicca-related symptoms and dysfunction in 1 degrees SS. This was administered to three groups of 40 respondents to measure construct validity: 1 degrees SS patients, non-SS patients reporting xerostomia and a non-patient group.

Health-related quality of life in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and xerostomia: a comparative study.

Objective: To compare the health status of groups of Primary Sjögren's and Xerostomia patients, using the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 (SF-36). The SF-36 is a generic measure, divided into eight domains, used in the assessment of health-related quality of life.

Patients And Methods: The SF-36 was given to 2 groups: Group 1 comprised 43 patients diagnosed with Primary Sjögren's Syndrome (1 degrees SS) and an unstimulated whole salivary flow rate (UFR) of <0.