Pleuritis associated with primary Sjogren syndrome.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Pulmonary Medicine: Focus on autoimmune diseases and respiratory complications.

Background:

• Primary Sjogren's syndrome (SjS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting exocrine glands.
• Pleural effusion and lung parenchymal changes are rare manifestations of SjS.

Observation:

• A 71-year-old woman with primary SjS developed bilateral pleural effusion and ground glass opacity.
• Elevated lymphocytes were noted in pleural effusion and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
• Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy confirmed lymphocytic infiltration, ruling out other causes.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome-related pleuritis.
• Treatment with 20 mg of prednisolone led to rapid resolution of pleural effusion.
• This case highlights a rare complication of SjS.

Implications:

• Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool for SjS-related pleuritis.
• Prompt steroid treatment can effectively manage SjS-associated pleural effusions.
• Increased awareness of pulmonary manifestations in SjS is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.