A case report of sarcoidosis overlapped with Sjogren's syndrome

The diagnosis of sarcoidosis and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in the same patient is a challenge since sarcoidosis is considered an exclusion criterion for SS.

The authors described a 62-year-old woman, who had SS for 8 years and presented with dry mouth, dry eyes, dyspnoea, and erythema nodosum. High resolution computed tomography of the chest showed symmetrical pulmonary micronodules, interstitial changes, and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Anti-nuclear antibodies and anti-SSA antibodies were positive. Schermer's test was also positive. A biopsy of lung nodules revealed non-caseous granuloma. Salivary gland biopsy showed focal lymphocyte infiltration. Diagnosis of sarcoidosis and SS were done according to the classification criteria in this patient.

Although the diagnosis of Sjogren requires the exclusion of conditions that cause dry eyes and mouth, such as sarcoidosis, Few studies have reported the coexistence of sarcoidosis and SS such as this case report.

This case extends our understanding of overlapped SS with sarcoidosis and provides a referential value for clinical diagnosis.