Primary Sjögren's syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease: a case report with favourable response to tocilizumab.

内容摘要

Severe pulmonary involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome presents a therapeutic challenge, particularly when conventional immunosuppression is insufficient. We report on the case of a 50-year-old woman with interstitial lung disease and profound gas exchange impairment (DLCO 17%). Despite initial treatment with azathioprine, clinical response was inadequate. Early escalation to tocilizumab was followed by marked clinical and radiological improvement. This case highlights the potential importance of timely biologic intervention in severe disease and suggests that advanced functional impairment may still be reversible. Limitations include a single-case design and concomitant therapy. Sjögren’s syndrome a condition where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. While it often causes dry eyes and mouth, it can also affect the lungs. In some patients, this leads to serious lung disease that makes breathing difficult and reduces oxygen transfer. Treating lung involvement can be challenging, especially when standard medications do not work well. We describe a 50-year-old woman who first developed breathing problems and was later diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome-related lung disease. Her lung function was severely reduced. Initial treatment with commonly used medications did not lead to improvement. A different type of treatment, tocilizumab, which targets a specific part of the immune system, was started relatively early. After this, her symptoms improved, and her lung scans and test results showed clear recovery. This case suggests that some patients with severe lung involvement may benefit from earlier use of targeted treatments rather than relying only on standard therapies. It also shows that even serious lung problems may improve if treated appropriately. Although this is only a single case and more research is needed, it highlights a possible approach for managing difficult cases of Sjögren’s syndrome-related lung disease.