Prevalence and risk factors of interstitial lung disease in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pulmonary Manifestations of Sjögren's Disease

Sjögren's disease (SjD) is a chronic, progressive autoimmune condition of exocrine and extraglandular tissues. It can present with isolated disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of salivary or lacrimal glands, but in approximately one-third of the patients, lymphocytic infiltration extends beyond exocrine glands to involve extraglandular organs such as the lungs. Pulmonary complications have been reported to occur between 9 and 27% of patients with SjD across studies. Respiratory manifestations occur on a spectrum of severity and include airways disease, interstitial lung disease, cystic lung disease, and lymphoma. Lung involvement can greatly affect patients' quality of life, has a major impact on the overall prognosis, and frequently leads to alteration in the treatment plans, highlighting the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion and taking appropriate steps to facilitate early recognition and intervention.

Interstitial lung disease and associated factors in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

BACKGROUND

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common pulmonary manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and associated with an increased risk of death. Early detection and treatment of ILDs and knowing the risk factors are very important for prognosis in rheumatic diseases.

AIMS

This study was performed to determine ILD and associated factors in patients with SjS.

METHODS

Four hundred three SjS patients were evaluated in this cross-sectional cohort study. Clinical, laboratory, serological, and imaging features were compared of patients with and without pulmonary involvement. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for lung involvement and to identify independent risk factors.

RESULTS

Thirty-five (8.7%) of SjS patients had ILD and 368 (91.3%) had no ILD. The presence of Raynaud's phenomenon was significantly more common in ILD. The geriatric age group over the age of 65 years (OR 8198; 95% CI 3788-17,742; p < 0.001), Raynaud's phenomenon (OR 17,852; 95% CI 6155-51,779; p < 0.001), and smoking (OR 3598; 95% CI 1495-8657; p = 0.003) were risk factors to be associated for ILD in the multivariable analysis. The most common abnormality was non-specific interstitial pneumonia in 20 patients (57.1%) and usual interstitial pneumonia in 15 (42.9%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of male patients compared to female patients was higher in patients with lung involvement than in patients without lung involvement. This may be related to older age, higher smoking rate, and longer nicotine consumption in men. Age, smoking, and severity of lung involvement are more important than inflammation status and autoantibodies for prognosis.

Impact of sex differences on the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is a common chronic autoimmune disease that manifests as dry mouth, dry eyes and systemic complications. There are sex differences in the clinical manifestations between men and women, with the average age of onset being around 55 years and the majority of female patients developing the disease during the menopausal years. Understanding the impact of sex differences on SS may help in the treatment and prognosis of patients. Studies have confirmed that a number of factors are associated with the onset of SS, but the exact mechanisms are not fully understood. Sex hormones (especially oestrogens and androgens) play a very important role, and the balance of sex hormone levels in the body is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in the acinar cells of the lacrimal and salivary glands. In addition, chromosomes play a very important role in the sex differences in SS. The gut microbiota also has some influence on sex differences in SS. In this review, we focus on oestrogens and androgens, which are important in the pathogenesis of SS, and summarize the progress of non-clinical studies. Sex differences may influence differences in individualized treatment regimens and further studies are needed.

Predicting the risk of interstitial lung disease in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: Novel nomogram and elevated Th2 cells

OBJECTIVE

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most common pulmonary complications in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). This study was performed to identify immunological risk factors of pSS-associated ILD (pSS-ILD) and to further establish and evaluate of nomograms predicting the risk of ILD in patients with pSS.

METHODS

A total of 622 patients with pSS (117 with ILD and 505 without lung involvement) and 166 healthy control subjects (HCs) were ultimately recruited to this retrospective study. Routine examination indicators, tumour markers and lymphocyte (LYMP) subpopulations were extracted. Simple and multiple logistic regressions analyses were performed to screen for independent predictors. Restricted cubic splines were used to examine associations of independent predictors with ILD, and a risk assessment model was constructed. A nomogram prediction model was developed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess its performance.

RESULTS

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the older age, white blood cell (WBC) count, haemoglobin (HB) level, albumin (ALB) level, CA242 level, and the C-reactive protein (CRP)/LYMP ratio (CLR) were independent predictors of pSS-ILD in a linear manner, these factors were integrated and used to construct a nomogram prediction model. The model had clinical predictive value. In addition, the elevated Th2 cells proportion in pSS patients was significantly positively correlated with lung involvement, while it was negatively correlated with HB and ALB levels. Remarkably, the numbers of Th2 cells were correlated with the CLR in both pSS patients and those with pSS-ILD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel ILD nomogram could be used to assess the risk of ILD in pSS patients with good discrimination ability. As well as, elevated peripheral blood Th2 cell levels may be related to ILD in patients with pSS.

The interplay between rheumatic diseases and pulmonary health

Patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) are prone to a number of comorbidities, particularly those affecting the respiratory system due to inflammatory and autoimmune mechanisms. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc), and inflammatory idiopathic myopathies (IIMs) often present with progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD). The prevalence of ILD varies among patients with RDs, with 11% in RA, 47% in SSc, and 41% in IIMs. Some diagnostic markers, including KL-6, cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, and autoantibodies (anti-CCP), play a crucial role in assessing and predicting the course of pulmonary involvement in RDs. Lung fibrosis is a progressive disorder in SSc and RA, limiting the effiency of therapeutic interventions. Re-evaluating treatment approaches with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) is crucial for understanding their impact on the risk of lung affections. Despite initial concerns surrounding methotrexate, recent evidence points to its benefits in RA-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Recognizing the intricate relationship between autoimmune RDs and lung affections is crucial for formulating effective treatment strategies. Emphasis is placed on collaborative efforts of rheumatologists and pulmonologists for early diagnosis, comprehensive care, and optimal patient outcomes in RA-ILD.

Incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Acute exacerbation (AE) is a devastating complication of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and leads to high mortality. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of acute exacerbation of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (AE-RA-ILD).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Medline were searched through 8 February 2023. Two independent researchers selected eligible articles and extracted available data. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the methodological quality of studies used for meta-analysis. The incidence and prognosis of AE-RA-ILD were investigated. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were calculated to explore the risk factors of AE in RA-ILD.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of 1,589 articles were eligible. A total of 385 patients with AE-RA-ILD, of whom 53.5% were male, were included. The frequency of AE in patients with RA-ILD ranged from 6.3 to 55.6%. The 1-year and 5-year AE incidences were 2.6-11.1% and 11-29.4%, respectively. The all-cause mortality rate of AE-RA-ILD was 12.6-27.9% at 30 days and 16.7-48.3% at 90 days. Age at RA diagnosis (WMD: 3.61, 95% CI: 0.22-7.01), male sex (OR: 1.60, 95% CI:1.16-2.21), smoking (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.08-2.08), lower forced vital capacity predicted (FVC%; WMD: -8.63, 95% CI: -14.68 to - 2.58), and definite usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern (OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.15-3.22) were the risk factors of AE-RA-ILD. Moreover, the use of corticosteroids, methotrexate, and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, was not associated with AE-RA-ILD.

CONCLUSION

AE-RA-ILD was not rare and had a poor prognosis. Age at RA diagnosis, male sex, smoking, lower FVC%, and definite UIP pattern increased the risk of AE-RA-ILD. The use of medications, especially methotrexate and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, may not be related to AE-RA-ILD.

REGISTRATION

CRD42023396772.

Anti-SSA/SSB-negative primary Sjögren's syndrome showing different clinical phenotypes: a retrospective study of 934 cases

BACKGROUND

Currently, only a few studies have described the general characteristics of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) who tested negatives for anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies. We aimed to further investigate the clinical characteristics of these patients in a large sample.

METHODS

Data from patients with pSS who were treated at a tertiary hospital in China between 2013 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical characteristics of the patients were compared between those with and without anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibody negativity. Factors associated with anti-SSA and anti-SSB negativity were identified by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 934 patients with pSS were included in this study, among whom 299 (32.0%) tested negative for anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies. Compared with patients testing positive for anti-SSA or anti-SSB antibodies, that testing negative for the two antibodies had a lower proportion of females (75.3% vs. 90.6%, p < 0.001) and thrombocytopenia (6.7% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.002), but a higher proportion of abnormal Schirmer I tests (96.0% vs. 89.1%, p = 0.001) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) (59.2% vs. 28.8%, p = 0.001). Anti-SSA and anti-SSB negativity was positively associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05, 3.31), abnormal Schirmer I tests (OR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.24, 6.53), and ILD (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.67, 3.85). However, it was negatively related to thrombocytopenia (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.95).

CONCLUSION

Approximately one third of pSS patients had anti-SSA and anti-SSB negativity. pSS patients testing negative for anti-SSA and anti-SSB showed a higher risk of abnormal Schirmer I tests and ILD, but a lower risk of thrombocytopenia.

Primary-Sjögren's-Syndrome-Related Interstitial Lung Disease: A Clinical Review Discussing Current Controversies

Lung involvement, especially interstitial lung disease, is a potentially severe extra-glandular manifestation of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS-ILD). ILD can manifest either as a late complication of pSS or anticipate sicca symptoms, likely reflecting two different patho-physiological entities. Presence of lung involvement in pSS subjects can remain subclinical for a long time; therefore, patients should be actively screened, and lung ultrasound is currently being investigated as a potential low cost, radiation-free, easily repeatable screening tool for detection of ILD. In contrast, rheumatologic evaluation, serology testing, and minor salivary gland biopsy are crucial for the recognition of pSS in apparently idiopathic ILD patients. Whether the HRCT pattern influences prognosis and treatment response in pSS-ILD is not clear; a UIP pattern associated with a worse prognosis in some studies, but not in others. Many aspects of pSS-ILD, including its actual prevalence, association with specific clinical-serological characteristics, and prognosis, are still debated by the current literature, likely due to poor phenotypic stratification of patients in clinical studies. In the present review, we critically discuss these and other clinically relevant "hot topics" in pSS-ILD. More specifically, after a focused discussion, we compiled a list of questions regarding pSS-ILD that, in our opinion, are not easily answered by the available literature. We subsequently tried to formulate adequate answers on the basis of an extensive literature search and our clinical experience. At the same, we highlighted different issues that require further investigation.

Interstitial Lung Disease and Pulmonary Damage in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Pulmonary lung involvement is the most common extra-glandular manifestation in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), leading to a worsening of the patient’s prognosis. To date, different studies have assessed the prevalence of pulmonary involvement and interstitial lung disease (ILD) in pSS patients with different results. Methods: We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on ILD pooled prevalence in pSS according to the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Furthermore, we explored the pooled prevalence of the two main presentations of pSS-ILD, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Results: We analysed the pSS-ILD prevalence in 30 studies including 8255 pSS patients. The pSS-ILD pooled prevalence was 23% (95% CI: 16–30). For NSIP, we found a pooled prevalence of 52% (CI 41–64), and for UIP we found a pooled prevalence of 44% (CI: 32–55). Regarding the meta-regression analysis, male gender, DLco value, country, and HRCT seem to contribute to the ILD presence. Conclusions: At least 20% of pSS patients have a comorbid ILD, usually NSIP. Male gender and alteration in DLco value may be considered the most important independent factors supporting an active search of lung complications during the clinical history of pSS patients.

Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning algorithms for rapid detection Primary Sjögren's syndrome associated with interstitial lung disease

BACKGROUND

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a major complication of Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients.It is one of the main factors leading to death. The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of serum Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning algorithms in the discriminatory diagnosis of patients with Primary Sjögren's syndrome associated with interstitial lung disease (pSS-ILD).

METHODS

Raman spectroscopy was performed on the serum of 30 patients with pSS, 28 patients with pSS-ILD and 30 healthy controls (HC). First, the data were pre-processed using baseline correction, smoothing, outlier removal and normalization operations. Then principal component analysis (PCA) is used to reduce the dimension of data. Finally, support vector machine(SVM), k nearest neighbor (KNN) and random forest (RF) models are established for classification.

RESULTS

In this study, SVM, KNN and RF were used as classification models, where SVM chooses polynomial kernel function (poly). The average accuracy, sensitivity, and precision of the three models were obtained after dimensionality reduction. The Accuracy of SVM (poly) was 5.71% higher than KNN and 6.67% higher than RF; Sensitivity was 5.79% higher than KNN and 8.56% higher than RF; Precision was 6.19% higher than KNN and 7.45% higher than RF. It can be seen that the SVM (poly) had better discriminative effect. In summary, SVM (poly) had a fine classification effect, and the average accuracy, sensitivity and precision of this model reached 89.52%, 91.27% and 89.52%, respectively, with an AUC value of 0.921.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that serum RS combined with machine learning algorithms is a valuable tool for diagnosing patients with pSS-ILD. It has promising applications.

Sexual Dimorphism in Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a group of heterogeneous progressive pulmonary disorders, characterised by tissue remodelling and/or fibrotic scarring of the lung parenchyma. ILD patients experience lung function decline with progressive symptoms, poor response to treatment, reduced quality of life and high mortality. ILD can be idiopathic or associated with systemic or connective tissue diseases (CTD) but idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common form. While IPF has a male predominance, women are affected more greatly by CTD and therefore associated ILDs. The mechanisms behind biological sex differences in these progressive lung diseases remain unclear. However, differences in environmental exposures, variable expression of X-chromosome related inflammatory genes and sex hormones play a role. Here, we will outline sex-related differences in the incidence, progression and mechanisms of action of these diseases and discuss existing and novel cellular and pre-clinical studies. Furthermore, we will highlight how sex-differences are not adequately considered in pre-clinical disease models, how gender bias exists in clinical diagnosis and how women are underrepresented in clinical trials. Future action on these observations will hopefully shed light on the role of biological sex in disease development, identify potential targets for intervention and increase female participant numbers in clinical trials.

Biomarkers of interstitial lung disease associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate serum biomarkers linked to primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods

69 pSS patients were consecutively enrolled and evaluated via quantitative ILD scoring based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Biomarkers of interest were assessed by multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Results

Among consecutively enrolled patients with pSS, the presence of pSS–ILD was 50% based on the presence of radiographically defined interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) meeting specified criteria for mild/moderate (ILA 2) or severe (ILA 3) disease. Age, immunoglobulin M (IgM), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum levels of eotaxin/CCL11, Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), TNFα, and TGFα were significantly higher in the combined pSS–ILD group (ILA 2 + ILA 3) than in the pSS–no-ILD and pSS–indeterminate ILD groups (ILA 0 and ILA 1, respectively) in unadjusted analyses (p < 0.05 for all variables). A binary logistic regression model revealed that disease duration and KL-6 levels were associated with the presence of pSS–ILD (p < 0.05). Complementary least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) modeling showed that age, KL-6, and TNF-α effectively differentiated pSS–ILD (ILA 2 + ILA3) from pSS without ILD (ILA 0 + ILA 1), with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.883 (p value < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Patient age, disease duration, and serum levels of both KL-6 and TNFα were the most discriminating factors associated with the presence of ILD in our pSS patients. Higher levels of CRP, IgM, eotaxin, TGFα, and TNFα should also prompt the search for occult as well as clinically evident lung involvement based on statistically significant univariate associations with pSS–ILD.

Clinical trial registration

None.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40001-022-00828-3.

Interstitial lung disease in Primary Sjögren's syndrome

Background

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may cause life-threatening complications of primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS), and has a poor prognosis in terms of survival and quality of life. To date, few studies have investigated the risk factors for ILD detected by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in pSS patients with or without respiratory symptoms.

Methods

Data of 333 patients with newly diagnosed pSS were retrospectively analysed. Interstitial lung disease involvement was defined as typical abnormalities on HRCT and/or pulmonary function tests. Multivariate regression model was used to evaluate the association between interstitial lung disease and pSS characteristics.

Results

Sixty-six patients (19.82%) were diagnosed with pSS-ILD. Ground glass opacities (87.88%) and septal/sub pleural lines (81.82%) were most frequent. Based on pulmonary high-resolution computed tomography, patients were divided into nonspecific (n = 42), usual (n = 20), lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (n = 3) and cryptogenic organising pneumonia (n = 1) groups. There was a strong association between erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)/C-reactive protein (CRP) and the HRCT-score. Pulmonary function tests revealed impaired diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and total lung capacity, and coexistence of small airway lesions in pSS-interstitial lung disease. On logistic regression analysis, age, Raynaud’s phenomenon, lymphopenia, cough, dyspnoea and rampant dental caries were risk factors associated with pSS-interstitial lung disease.

Conclusions

Interstitial lung disease involvement in pSS is a common clinical occurrence. The clinical manifestation is nonspecific and variable; Raynaud’s phenomenon and lymphopenia may predict its onset. pSS patients with advanced age, dry cough and dyspnoea should be systematically evaluated for ILD involvement and managed according to their symptoms.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-01868-5.

Natural history and screening of interstitial lung disease in systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorders

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a relatively frequent manifestation of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorders (SARDs), including systemic sclerosis (SSc), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis. Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) has been proposed to describe patients with ILD who have clinical or serological findings compatible with SARDs but they are not sufficient for a definite diagnosis. ILD may present with different patterns among patients with SARDs, but most commonly as nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), with the exception of RA and ANCA vasculitis that more often present with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). The natural history of ILD is quite variable, even among patients with the same SARD. It may present with subclinical features following a slow progressively course or with acute manifestations and clinically significant rapid progression leading to severe deterioration of pulmonary function and respiratory failure. The radiographic pattern of ILD, the extent of the disease, the baseline pulmonary function, the pulmonary function deterioration rate over time and clinical variables related to the primary SARD, such as age, sex and the clinical phenotype, are considered prognostic factors for SARDs-ILD associated with adverse outcomes and increased mortality. Different modalities can be employed for ILD detection including clinical evaluation, pulmonary function tests, high resolution computed tomography and novel techniques such as lung ultrasound and serum biomarkers. ILD may determine the clinical outcome of SARDs, since it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and therefore screening of patients with SARDs for ILD is of great clinical importance.

Long-term follow-up study of loose combined cutting seton surgery for patients with high anal fistula

Background

The treatment of high anal fistula (HAF) is still difficult for clinical surgeons. Our previous study demonstrated the short-term benefit of loose combined cutting seton (LCCS) for patients with HAF. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of LCCS for treating HAF patients.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled consecutive HAF patients who received LCCS therapy in our hospital between March 2014 and July 2017. After enrollment, all patients were followed up by clinical review. The patients’ clinical information and most recent follow-up results were collected. Pain was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS), and the severity of fecal incontinence was assessed by the Wexner Continence Grading Scale. We also assessed the patients’ quality of life (QOL) using a the MOS item short from health survey (SF-36) questionnaire. HAF healing was considered the primary outcome, while the fistula recurrence rate, severity of fecal incontinence, and QOL were the secondary outcomes.

Results

In total, 22 patients (18 male, four female) were enrolled in the final analysis. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.65 years (interquartile range: 3.55–4.22; range, 3.50–5.43). All patients were cured and there was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Eight patients reported a Wexner score of 1, while the remaining patients reported a score of 0 at the final follow-up. Furthermore, one patient had a VAS score of 1, while the remaining patients had a VAS score of 0, which indicated almost no postoperative pain. The QOL of all patients improved significantly.

Conclusions

LCCS is an effective method to treat HAF patients. Large, multicenter randomized controlled trials are warranted.

Ten-year survival analysis of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome in China: a national prospective cohort study

Aims

To investigate the long-term survival of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) in China.

Methods

Patients with pSS who fulfilled the 2002 American-European Consensus Group classification criteria were prospectively enrolled from 2004 to 2011. Their baseline clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data were collected. The primary endpoint was all-cause death by January 2018. The standard mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated by comparing with age-matched and sex-matched mortality data of the general population. Kaplan-Meier curves were obtained by time-to-event analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazards regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for mortality.

Results

A total of 1054 patients were enrolled and 834 patients were followed up for a median of 94.8 months, with 48 confirmed deaths. The total SMR was 3.63 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.60-4.66]. The 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival rates were 98.4%, 97.5%, and 92.9%, respectively. Infection, malignancy, and respiratory failure were the top three causes of mortality. We identified male sex [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.00, 95% CI 1.23-7.31], age at diagnosis ⩾50 years of age (HR = 7.69, 95% CI 3.01-19.62), thrombocytopenia (HR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.01-3.72), and interstitial lung disease (HR = 5.96, 95% CI 2.24-15.82) as the independent prognostic factors of death.

Conclusions

The mortality rates of Chinese patients with pSS are higher than those of the general population. Male patients of elder age at diagnosis complicated with thrombocytopenia and interstitial lung disease might be suggestive for poorer survival and require closer follow up.

The other connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung diseases: Sjogren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We review the clinical manifestations of three less common connective tissue disease (CTD)-associated interstitial lung diseases (ILDs): Sjogren's syndrome (SjS), mixed CTD (MCTD), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

RECENT FINDINGS

SjS is classically associated with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia and cystic lung disease, but the most common type of ILD in Sjogren's patients is nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. ILD is prevalent in MCTD and associated with worse survival. SLE-associated ILD, while rare, is more common in those with CTD overlap syndromes. Regardless of underlying cause, a subset of patients with fibrotic CTD-associated ILD develop a progressive course for which antifibrotic agents and lung transplantation should be considered.

SUMMARY

An understanding of the characteristics of ILD in SjS, MCTD, and SLE is important for the pulmonary specialist. Future research should identify risk factors for progression and develop additional treatment modalities for both CTD-related autoimmune features and progressive ILD.

Pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia and Sjögren's syndrome: a case report and literature review

Pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, also known as pseudolymphoma, is an uncommon reactive lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology that can be found in Sjögren's syndrome patients. Here, we present a case of a previously healthy woman in which the incidental finding of a lung mass compatible with nodular lymphoid hyperplasia led to the subsequent diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome. We also performed a literature review for the association between both entities and described the main clinical aspects of the reported cases. Although its rarity, we consider that pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lung nodules or masses among Sjögren's syndrome patients.

Detection and Management of Interstitial Lung Diseases Associated With Connective Tissue Diseases

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a common manifestation of connective tissue diseases (CTDs). A proportion of patients with CTD-ILDs develop progressive fibrosing ILD, which is characterized by worsening fibrotic abnormalities on high-resolution computed tomography scan, decline in lung function, worsening symptoms, and early mortality. Here, we review the impact of ILD in patients with CTDs, the importance of prompt diagnosis and close monitoring, and the evidence available to guide the management of CTD-ILDs. Management of patients with CTD-ILDs should be individualized and involve close collaboration between rheumatologists and pulmonologists. Immunosuppression is the mainstay of therapy for CTDs, but evidence for its effectiveness in slowing the progression of ILD is limited. Recently, nintedanib has been approved to slow decline in lung function in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated ILD and chronic fibrosing ILDs with a progressive phenotype. The results of ongoing clinical trials will help clinicians take a more evidence-based approach to the treatment of CTD-ILDs.

Elderly-onset primary Sjögren's syndrome focused on clinical and salivary gland ultrasonographic features

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical, laboratory, and salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) characteristics of elderly-onset of primary Sjögren's syndrome (EopSS).

METHODS

We included pSS patient from two referral hospitals over a 4-year period. The SGUS scores (0-48) and SG volumes were assessed. Clinical, laboratory, and SGUS data were compared according to age at onset: EopSS (≥65 years), adult-onset (AopSS) (≥40 and <65 years), and young-onset (YopSS) (<40 years).

RESULTS

This cross-sectional study included a total of 221 patients, 43 (19.5%) of which had EopSS. Subjective sicca symptoms, results of the Schirmer's test, and unstimulated salivary flow rate revealed no significant differences between the groups. EopSS patients presented a significantly higher frequency of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (EopSS: 51.2% vs. AopSS: 13.5% vs. YopSS: 8.7%, P<0.001) and lower frequency of arthritis (7% vs. 22.6% vs. 39.1%, P<0.01). They also had significantly lower positivity of anti-Ro/SSA (51.2%) and anti-La/SSB (7.0%) and lower levels of rheumatoid factor, C4, and IgG. The EopSS group had significantly lower SGUS positivity (defined as total scores ≥14) (44.2% vs. 64.5% vs. 78.3%, P<0.05), lower SGUS scores, and smaller submandibular gland volume.

CONCLUSION

We report a specific phenotype of EopSS, characterised by high prevalence of ILD, less involvement of the peripheral joint, and low biological activity. SGUS evaluation showed less parenchymal abnormalities but more atrophic changes in major SGs in EopSS patients. Considering the low positivity of anti-Ro/SSA and SGUS in EopSS, SG biopsy remains the only way to confirm the diagnosis of pSS, especially in elderly patients.