Interstitial lung disease and primary Sjogren syndrome: A case report

Abstract

any drug use that could provoke lung fibrosis. The laboratory tests were positive for ΑΝΑ, anti-Ro52, and anti-ENA. Then, the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was made and the patient was treated with a high dose of corticosteroids and Rituximab. It should be noted that after hospital discharge, the patient did not receive the suggested treatment regularly. Over the past two years, the patient reports multiple hospitalizations for shortness of breath with unclear diagnosis and treatment. Upon admission to our department, his temperature was 37 o C, his respiratory rate was 32/min, his blood pressure was 110/80 mmHg, his heart rate was 105/ min, and the SpO2=89% while breathing room air. Lung ABSTRACT We present the case of a 28-year-old African man with multiple hospitalizations during the past two years due to worsening shortness of breath. The initial work-up revealed recurrent pulmonary embolism and interstitial lung disease (ILD). The diagnosis of primary Sjogren syndrome was established and a lung biopsy demonstrated cellular non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). Proper treatment of NSIP was partially effective and respiratory failure persisted, implying additional pathology to NSIP. Further evaluation revealed pulmonary hypertension that required treatment with pulmonary vasodilators.