title: Sjögren's Syndrome.
abstract: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic, slowly progressive, inflammatory, autoimmune disease characterized by (1) lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands leading to diminished or absent glandular secretion, and (2) marked B-lymphocytic cell hyperreactivity manifested initially by a variety of serum autoantibodies, including those against the Ro(SSA) and La(SSB) ribonucleoproteins, ending in the development of B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in a substantial number of patients. Most patients with SS present only with keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia. However, approximately 40% develop extraglandular manifestations that present in two ways: (1) the development of lymphoepithelial lesions in several extra-exocrine gland tissues (i.e., bronchi, renal tubules, or biliary ducts), and (2) vasculitis related to the deposition of immune complexes due to B cell hyperreactivity. Pulmonary manifestations develop in some patients and may present as (1) bronchitis sicca; (2) a wide spectrum of lymphoproliferative diseases, ranging from bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) hyperplasia, lymphoid interstitial pneumonia, and B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma mainly of the extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of BALT-type or rarely of higher-grade malignancy; and (3) other interstitial pneumonias. Pleuritis can be seen in SS patients with associated systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Pulmonary Department, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece. papiris@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Spyros A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Papiris
authors.forename: Ioannis A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Tsonis
authors.forename: Haralampos M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Moutsopoulos
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000209:etiology*; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology