Bronchial Inflammation, Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome

• Published in: Archivos de bronconeumología (English ed.) Vol. 47; no. 7; pp. 330 - 334
• Main Authors: Bellido-Casado, Jesús, Plaza, Vicente, Díaz, César, Geli, Carme, Domínguez, José, Margarit, Gisela, Torrejón, Montserrat, Giner, Jordi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain Elsevier España 01.07.2011
• Subjects: Bronchitis - etiology; Chronic cough; Esputo inducido; Female; Humans; Induced sputum; Internal Medicine; Linfocitosis; Lymphocytosis; Male; Middle Aged; Primary Sjögren syndrome; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Respiration Disorders - etiology; Respiratory Function Tests; Sjogren's Syndrome - complications; Sjogren's Syndrome - physiopathology; Síndrome de Sjögren primario; Tos crónica; Chronic cough; Esputo inducido; Síndrome de Sjögren primario; Lymphocytosis; Primary Sjögren syndrome; Tos crónica; Linfocitosis; Induced sputum
• ISSN: 1579-2129; 1579-2129
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arbr.2011.01.006

Abstract Introduction There is no information available regarding the relationship between the respiratory symptoms or lung function and bronchial inflammation, measured by induced sputum. Objectives Description of the clinical characteristics, radiographic images and lung function of patients suffering from Primary Sjögren Syndrome (pSS), and to assess the relationship with the inflammatory airway profile. Methods We analyzed clinical, radiology, lung function tests, bronchial hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory data in the induced sputum from 36 consecutive patients with pSS. Results A total of 58% of patients had hoarseness and 42% had cough and dyspnea. No lung dysfunction was observed, although 46% ( n = 16) had a positive bronchial response. Lymphocytosis >2.6% in induced sputum was observed in 69% of all sputa. There was chronic cough in 29% of patients with lymphocytosis ( n = 24), whereas 73% were normal ( n = 11) ( P = .02). The duration of cough was less for the former ( p = .02). On the contrary a positive bronchial response was associated with lymphocytosis >2.6% ( p = .02). Lipophages were present in 55% of pathological sputa ( n = 22) (index >15) versus 18% of the non-pathological ones ( n = 11) ( p = .05). Conclusion Hoarseness, cough and dyspnea are frequent respiratory symptoms in pSS, although there is a wide variation in the relationship with bronchial responsiveness and airway inflammation. Lymphocytosis in the airways is another site of the infiltrative process in pSS, and the induced sputum is a complementary tool in the identification of active inflammatory process.