Pleural Effusion In A Patient With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Successfully Treated With Corticosteroids

Sjögren's syndrome is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by salivary insufficiency and lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands. Bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis are common airway manifestations but interstitial pneumonitis, and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis may also occur. It rarely presents with pleuritis. We report a woman with primary Sjögren's syndrome who developed pleuritis with moderately large effusions and antibody levels for SS-A and SS-B in the serum without evidence of infection, malignancy or other collagen diseases. After the initial treatment, daily administration of 20 mg of oral prednisone has effectively controlled the serious manifestations of the disease with minimal side effects.