Pleuropulmonary abnormalities in primary Sjögren's syndrome

Sixteen patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (1 degree SS) who complained of dyspnea were investigated with high resolution computerized tomography of the thorax, bronchoalveolar lavage, and transbronchial biopsy. Six patients had evidence of interstitial fibrosis, 5 had a peribronchiolar lymphocytic infiltration and 3 had pleural thickening. We conclude that significant pulmonary disease is not uncommon in patients with 1 degree SS.