Interstitial Lung Changes in Sjogren’s Syndrome: Report of 3 Cases

FCY Lam, TL Kwan, AKH Lai, TS To, HHL Chau

Hong Kong J Radiol 2004;7:210-4

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease. It more commonly affects women than men, in the fourth and fifth decades of life. The syndrome is characterised by a clinical triad of dry eyes, dry mouth, and arthritis. It may occur as a primary disorder or as a secondary disorder in association with another connective tissue disorder, most often rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome can have pulmonary manifestations, although symptoms may not be clinically significant. Both interstitial lung disease (lymphocytic interstitial infiltration or fibrosis) and obstruction with small-airway disease can occur in primary Sjögren’s syndrome. This report describes 3 cases of Sjögren’s syndrome that had pulmonary manifestations: lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis, cystic or bullous lung disease, and usual interstitial pneumonia.