Medicina clinica, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Objectives: To evaluate the treatment modalities and their effects in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). Methods: In this chart review study, patients diagnosed with pSS-related ILD (pSS-ILD) between January 2004 and August 2022 were screened. Glucocorticoid use and administered disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were determined. The difference between forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) before and after treatment was evaluated. Results: ILD was present in 44 of 609 patients (7.2%) diagnosed with pSS. In 27 patients included in the study, steroid usage was 81.5%. There was a statistically insignificant increase in FVC% (from 80.20 ± 22.1 to 81.6 ± 23.0) and a decrease in DLCO% (53.7 ± 15.3–52.2 ± 19.3) with DMARD treatment (p = 0.434 and p = 0.652, respectively). There was no significant difference between the treatment groups (azathioprine [AZA], mycophenolate mofetil [MMF], and rituximab [RTX]) in terms of the change in FVC% and DLCO% compared with baseline levels. The effect of treatment on FVC and DLCO was similar in UIP and NSIP patterns. Conclusions: AZA, MMF, and RTX have similar effects on pulmonary functions in pSS-ILD and provide disease stabilization.