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Pulmonary involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome
1Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90033, USA.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Primary Sjögren's syndrome commonly affects the lungs, causing interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and tracheobronchial sicca. Less common lung issues and abnormal pulmonary function tests can occur even without respiratory symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Primary Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder primarily affecting exocrine glands.
- Pulmonary involvement is a significant, though often underdiagnosed, complication of primary Sjögren's syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the spectrum of pulmonary manifestations in primary Sjögren's syndrome.
- To highlight the prevalence of pulmonary abnormalities even in asymptomatic patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of common and uncommon pulmonary manifestations.
- Analysis of pulmonary function tests and bronchoalveolar lavage findings.
Main Results:
- Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and tracheobronchial sicca are the most frequent lung complications.
- Less common manifestations include pulmonary arterial hypertension, lymphomas, and interstitial pneumonitis.
- Abnormal pulmonary function tests (restrictive pattern) and bronchoalveolar lavage findings are common, even with normal chest X-rays and no respiratory symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome is diverse and can be subclinical.
- Further long-term studies are required to understand the clinical significance of these pulmonary findings.