Inflamación bronquial, clínica respiratoria y función pulmonar en el síndrome de Sjögren primario

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 analysed 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 dispnea. 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 coughin 29% of patients with lymphocytosis (n = 24), whereas 73% were normal (n = 11) (P=02). The duration time 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 presnt 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.