The 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria are the main guidelines doctors use to help diagnose Sjögren’s disease in research and clinical practice. They use a scoring system based on objective test results. A person meets criteria if they score 4 points or more.
- Labial salivary gland biopsy showing inflammation with a focus score ≥ 1: 3 points
- Anti-SSA/Ro antibody positive: 3 points
- Ocular staining score ≥ 5 (or Van Bijsterveld Score ≥ 4) showing eye surface damage: 1 point
- Schirmer test ≤ 5mm/5min showing reduced tear production: 1 point
- Unstimulated whole salivary flow ≤ 0.1 mL/min showing reduced saliva production: 1 point
Important: These criteria are classification criteria, not a stand-alone diagnosis. A doctor still makes the final diagnosis by considering symptoms, exam findings, and other test results.
Reference:
Shiboski, Caroline H., et al. “2016 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a consensus and data‐driven methodology involving three international patient cohorts.” Arthritis & Rheumatology 69.1 (2017): 35-45.
