We aimed to asses the efficacy of pilocarpine tablets as a symptomatic treatment for dry mouth and dry eyes in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).
We included 40 patients with SS (38 women and 2 men), mean age 49.2 years (range, 35-68), with severe xerostomia and xerophthalmia. Objective tests (salivary scintigraphy, Schirmer's test, break-up time, Rose Bengal staining) and subjective tests (symptoms' questionnaire) were carried out before starting treatment and 6 months later to evaluate any glandular function improvement.
All patients initially received 15 mg daily of pilocarpine. Twelve (30%) patients received 20 mg daily. Dry mouth-related symptoms improved in 57.5% of patients and dry eyes-related ones improved in 35%. Scintigraphic studies demonstrated an objective improvement of the glandular function in 35% patients. Ocular tests showed an improvement in 30% cases.
Pilocarpine therapy is useful to improve xerostomia and xerophthalmia in SS patients with moderate and severe glandular involvement. However, we have not observed a good correlation between subjective improvement of symptoms and the objective test results.