[Respiratory manifestations during the course of Sjogren's syndrome].

INTRODUCTION: Sjogren's syndrome is a common auto-immune disease.

BACKGROUND: Clinically significant pulmonary involvement affects approximately 10% of patients and may be the first manifestation of the disease, putting the respiratory physician in a position to suspect and confirm the diagnosis. Besides interstitial lung disease and bronchial disorders, cough is a common symptom of the disease and particularly difficult to treat. Lung cysts and amyloid deposits, sometimes associated with lymphoma, have recently been described. The development of a primary pulmonary lymphoma, usually from MALT, is a major complication of the disease.

VIEWPOINT: Characterisation of the pathophysiology of pulmonary involvement in Sjogren's syndrome and the institution of specific treatment merits the interest of the respiratory physician.

CONCLUSION: The respiratory physician should consider the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome in many different clinico-pathological situations.