To assess how patients perceived pain and change of sensibility of the biopsied area after having undergone parotid and labial gland biopsy as part of the diagnostic work-up of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS).
Simultaneously, parotid and labial salivary gland biopsies were taken under local anesthesia. One week, 6 months and 12 months post-operatively, each patient was sent a postal questionnaire to quantify the severity of pain and change of sensibility in the biopsied areas with a visual analogue scale (VAS; range 0-100).
110 patients were included. The median age of patients was 54 years (IQR=47-65) and 92% were female. Changes in sensibility and pain in the biopsied area were significantly higher after a parotid gland biopsy than after a labial gland biopsy at one week and 6 months post-operatively, but rather minor in both areas. At 12 months post-operatively, the change in sensibility and pain level was negligible in most patients and comparable for both biopsied areas. The duration of the technique, outcome of the biopsy, exposure of nerve branches during the biopsy and bleeding during the biopsy did not affect the reported change of sensibility or pain in the biopsied area. ESSPRI was not related to pain level or change of sensibility at any time point (r<0.3 and p>0.05).
Patient-reported post-operative change of sensibility and pain in the area of the parotid and labial gland biopsy are minor and comparable. Parotid and labial gland biopsies are diagnostic techniques well tolerated by patients suspected with pSS.