Background: Pulmonary manifestations (PMs) in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) are among the most frequent extraglandular complications, with reported prevalence varying widely (9-75%), depending on the methods of detection.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of PMs in pSS and to determine the factors predisposing to the occurrence of this complication.
Material and methods: The study group consisted of 68 patients with pSS. Among the patients who were possibly affected by PMs, chest High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) was performed.
Results: In the group of all patients afflicted with pSS, 30 people indicated the need to expand medical imaging via chest HRCT scan. (The most frequent reason, in 80%, was persistent, dry cough periodically waking up patients at night). The chest HRCT scan revealed lung tissue changes in the course of 29% of all examined patients (of 68). No correlation was found between the occurrence of HRCT changes and the age of patients (p = 0.8), increased CRP > 5 mg/1 (p = 0.1) or ESR > 20 mm/h (p = 0.9), focus score (p = 0.8), leucopenia (p = 0.5), RF value (p = 0.3), gamma globulin value (p = 0.5), intensity of eye and oral cavity dryness (p = 0.6; 0.3) and smoking cigarettes. Additionally, no correlation was found between more frequent occurrences of antibodies anti-SSA, anti-SSB or anti-Ro52 and HRCT changes (p = 0.3; 0.07; 0.4). Pertaining to the clinical signs, HRCT changes occurred more often only in patients suffering from peripheral arthritis (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: PM is a frequent symptom of pSS. A factor predisposing to the development of changes in the respiratory system was not found. Changes in HRCT occur more frequently in patients with peripheral arthritis.
Keywords: chest HRCT; primary Sjogren’s syndrome; pulmonary manifestation.