Work

Treatment and follow-up of patients with Sjögren's disease associated interstitial lung disease: a case series

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of treatment in a series of patients with Sjögren's disease (SjD) associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). METHODS: Twenty-four primary SjD-ILD patients, followed-up from October 2022 to June 2025 were included in the study. Based on clinical judgement, 12 received treatment for ILD, while 12 did not, following a "watch-and-wait" policy. Participants were evaluated in 2 time points with an interval of 24±6 months. ILD was diagnosed by HRCT according to Fleischner Society definitions, performed at baseline due to respiratory symptoms and/or abnormal pulmonary function tests. Spirometry and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were performed at both visits. Progression of ILD was defined as absolute decline of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥5%. RESULTS: The treatment regimens of 12 SjD-ILD patients who received treatment included rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine and tocilizumab. The treated group displayed higher extent of ILD on HRCT at baseline visit (median: 20% vs. 10%, p=0.006), more frequently findings of small airways disease on HRCT (58% vs. 8%, p=0.027) and tended to present lower FVC (mean: 81.3% vs. 96.7%, p=0.086) compared to the untreated. FVC and DLCO remained stable between baseline and follow-up visit in both groups. However, the change in DLCO between the two visits was worse in the treated than untreated patients (mean: -11.2% vs. 4.8%, p=0.003). The number of SjD-ILD patients presenting progression of ILD did not differ between the two groups (25% vs. 33%, p=0.999). CONCLUSIONS: SjD-ILD clinical course is variable, with the most aggressive form to be controlled by immunosuppressive treatment.

Source: Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology

DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/k9tqpm

Authors: Panagiotis K. Panagopoulos, Loukas G. Chatzis, Katerina Malagari, Andreas V. Goules, Athanasios G. Tzioufas

Institutions: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital of Athens, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, University General Hospital Attikon

Language: English

Topic: Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W4417498708

FWCI:

Cites:

Cited by:

Related to: