BACKGROUND: Primary Sj  gren's syndrome (pSS) is a systemic @entity627 in which gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common. Faecal calprotectin (FC) is a non-invasive biomarker that has been suggested to discriminate organic intestinal disease from functional disorders. The purpose of this study was to explore the usefulness of FC testing in @entity1 with pSS. METHODS: In total, 56 consecutive @entity1 with pSS and 29 healthy control subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. FC was measured with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. GI symptoms were evaluated with the Rome III questionnaire and the Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In @entity1 with pSS, disease activity was estimated using the European League Against @entity627 (EULAR) Sj  gren's @entity66 Activity Index (ESSDAI), and @entity1 -reported outcomes were evaluated with the EULAR Sj  gren's Syndrome @entity1 -Reported Index. RESULTS: @entity1 with pSS had higher levels of FC than healthy control subjects (median 54   g/g, interquartile range [IQR 20-128]; vs. 20   g/g [20-43]; p   =   0.002). Concomitant @entity344 was found in 14 @entity1 with pSS and included @entity29 (n   =   3), @entity1586 (n   =   2) and @entity344 (n   =   1). @entity1 with @entity344 had higher FC levels than the other @entity1 with pSS (median 274   g/g [IQR 61-363] vs. median 34   g/g [IQR 20-76]; p   <   0.001). Although @entity1 with pSS reported abdominal discomfort more frequently than healthy control subjects did, such symptoms were not associated with @entity344 or elevated FC levels. FC correlated moderately with ESSDAI. Excluding @entity1 with @entity344 , we did not identify any significant association between ESSDAI and FC levels. CONCLUSIONS: GI symptoms are frequent in pSS. Contrary to @entity1 -reported outcomes, elevated FC levels in pSS indicate possible @entity344 that warrants further investigation.

Elevated levels of faecal calprotectin in primary Sj  gren's syndrome is common and associated with concomitant XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient', 'Patient'] @entity627 :: ('MESH:D012216', 'Disease') :: ['Rheumatism', 'rheumatic disease'] @entity66 :: ('MESH:D004194', 'Disease') :: ['Syndrome Disease'] @entity344 :: ('MESH:D005767', 'Disease') :: ['organic GI disease', 'GI lymphoma'] @entity29 :: ('MESH:D015212', 'Disease') :: ['inflammatory bowel disease'] @entity1586 :: ('MESH:D003111', 'Disease') :: ['colonic adenoma']
@entity344 :: (MESH:D005767,Disease) :: ['organic gastrointestinal disease']
