ACTION STEPS for Sjogren's patients Always tell your rheumatologist if you are experiencing possible lung disease symptoms, even if they are mild. Examples include: chronic cough, wheezing, chest burning/ tightness, and shortness of breath, especially on exertion.
Symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome with ILD may include:
Feeling very tired when going about your normal day. Shortness of breath, especially with mild physical activity. Dry cough that doesn't go away.
Patients with Sjogren's disease have destruction of the mucus secreting cells in the bronchi. This manifestation of the disease leads to the common complaint of persistent dry cough that is seen in many of these patients.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may cause life-threatening complications of primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and has a poor prognosis in terms of survival and quality of life.
The main symptoms are dry eyes and mouth, but other parts of the body may be affected as well, with many people reporting fatigue and joint and muscle pain. In addition, the disease can damage the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system.
While many patients experience dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue and joint pain, Sjögren's can also cause dysfunction of organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system.
Avoid foods that dry your mouth
You should also avoid spices and acidic foods such as citrus, as these can irritate a dry, sore mouth. You should also avoid sugary foods that can contribute to rapid tooth decay, which is already increased by lower saliva production in Sjogren's syndrome.
Your outlook (prognosis) is better if your disease isn't getting worse (it's stable). For people with the most severe and rapidly worsening forms of interstitial lung disease, life expectancy is around 3-5 years after diagnosis.
The neurological complications of Sjögren's syndrome are extensive and range from cognitive difficulties, to burning toes and feet.
tests (PFTs) may be considered to evaluate for the presence of underlying pulmonary manifestations. PFTs should include pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Abnormalities identified may require further corroboration with advanced testing.
Acid and pepsin in the pharynx, larynx, oral cavity, and trachea have been associated with dysphonia, chronic cough, reactive airway disease, middle ear effusion, throat pain, excessive throat mucus, postnasal drip, dental caries, and laryngeal cancer.
Skin rash. Numbness and pain due to neuropathy. Cough and shortness of breath due to lung disease. Irregular heartbeat.
If Sjögren's syndrome isn't treated appropriately, significant, long-term complications could result that affect your eyes, mouth, lungs, kidneys, liver or lymph nodes — complications including blindness, significant dental destruction and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan.
CT scanners use a computer to combine X-ray images taken from many different angles to produce cross-sectional images of internal structures. A high-resolution CT scan can be particularly helpful in determining the extent of lung damage caused by interstitial lung disease.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common form of the idiopathic interstitial lung diseases [1]. The most common cause of death in IPF patients has been reported to be the disease itself followed by cardiac disorders and lung cancer [2,3,4,5].
Comparative Epidemiology of Interstitial Lung Disease
The median age was 69 years and 52.5% of the cohort was male. The incidence of ILD was 26.1 per 100,000 person-years among women and 31.5 per 100,000 person-years among men (Table 1).
The age-specific prevalence of ILDs was noted to increase with increasing age, reaching the highest prevalence in the 80–84 years age group. In 2019, the prevalence in this age group per 100 000 in males was 1167 and in females was 983.5.
People with ILD can have widely different disease trajectories. Some may progress slowly over years, and some progress more quickly within months from the time of symptom onset.
The following tips help to reduce dry mouth symptoms: Sip water or sugarless drinks often. Let small ice chips melt in your mouth. Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas – caffeine can dry out the mouth.
Global cognitive impairment in Sjögren's
Most patients experience “brain fog” symptoms, which manifest as memory lapses, forgetfulness, mental confusion, and difficulties in concentrating, organizing, or anticipating future events.