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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 3/2024

02-09-2023 | Ultrasound | Review

The diagnostic performance of salivary gland ultrasound elastography in Sjögren’s syndrome and sicca symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Xinpeng Dai, Xin Sui, Simei Chen, Bingxin Zhao, Zongjie Liu, Xiaoyan Wang

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 3/2024

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Abstract

Objective

To systematically evaluate the diagnostic performance of ultrasound elastography (USE) in distinguishing primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) from healthy/disease controls.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for published literature on USE for diagnosing pSS. Bivariate random effects models were used to calculate the pooled sensitivity and specificity of USE. To determine the factors influencing heterogeneity, meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to assess country, diagnostic criteria, imaging mechanisms, shear wave elastography techniques, measurement location, control group category, and patient age. Publication bias was assessed using the asymmetry of the Deeks funnel plot.

Results

Fifteen articles covering 816 patients and 735 control participants were included. USE showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71–0.87) and specificity of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.78–0.92). Meta-regression and subgroup analyses revealed that shear wave elastography techniques, measurement location, and patient age were significant factors that affected study heterogeneity (p < 0.05). Elastography performs better in diagnosing patients aged ≤ 51 years compared to patients aged > 51 years. There was no significant publication bias.

Conclusion

USE demonstrates high accuracy in differentiating between pSS and healthy/disease control groups.

Clinical relevance statement

Ultrasound elastography, as a non-invasive and cost-effective technique, can be used to distinguish primary Sjögren’s syndrome from disease/healthy control groups by measuring the stiffness of salivary glands.

Key Points

• Ultrasound elastography is an acceptable technique for the diagnosis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome.
• The pooled sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound elastography for diagnosing primary Sjögren’s syndrome were 0.80 and 0.87, respectively.
• In patients aged ≤ 51 years with primary Sjögren’s syndrome, ultrasound elastography showed good diagnostic performance.
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Metadata
Title
The diagnostic performance of salivary gland ultrasound elastography in Sjögren’s syndrome and sicca symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Xinpeng Dai
Xin Sui
Simei Chen
Bingxin Zhao
Zongjie Liu
Xiaoyan Wang
Publication date
02-09-2023
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 3/2024
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-023-10166-5

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