Type II diabetes mellitus and primary Sjögren's syndrome complicated by pleural effusion

A 73-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of pleural effusion and nephrotic syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome (Sjs) was diagnosed based on a positive test for antibodies to Ro and La, and the result of labial salivary gland biopsy. The pleural effusion showed a high number of lymphocytes and high titers of antibodies to Ro and La. By immunohistochemistry, it was determined that infiltrating CD3+ cells predominated over infiltrating CD20+ cells in the pleura. Nephrotic syndrome was also present, which, as confirmed by renal biopsy was due to advanced diabetic nephropathy. Here, we report a case of Type II diabetes mellitus and primary Sjs complicated by pleural effusion, discuss the available treatment for pleural effusion.