Xerotrachea: The Silent Signal of Sjogren’s Syndrome

Huda Allaham^(1,*), Madalina-Pusa Rosu⁽²⁾, Denisa Predeteanu⁽²⁾, Cristina Iosif⁽³⁾, Constantin-Ioan Busuioc⁽³⁾, Daniel Lupoi⁽⁴⁾, Cornelia Tudose⁽⁵⁾, Narcis Copca⁽⁶⁾

1)Department of Internal Medicine, “Th Burghelea” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
2)Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, “Sf. Maria” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
3)Department of Pathology, “Sf. Maria” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
4)Department of ENT, “Sf. Maria” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
5)Department of Pneumology, The Elias University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
6)Department of Surgery, “Sf. Maria” Clinical Hospital. Department of Research Center University of Medicine “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a progressive autoimmune disease predominantly affecting women, characterized by lymphocyte infiltration in exocrine glands, leading to dryness of mucosal surfaces. Primary SS (pSS) can involve multiple organs, with pulmonary manifestations ranging from dry cough to interstitial lung disease (ILD) and lymphoma. The aim of this study was to explore pulmonary involvement and the management of xerotrachea as an extraglandular manifestation in pSS, as well as the impact of sinusitis on the incidence of rheumatic diseases.
We examined a patient with pSS presenting with persistent dry cough and atypical early onset, without the classic symptoms of xerostomia or xerophthalmia. A differential diagnosis was conducted, ruling out common causes of cough.
Xerotrachea may be an early manifestation of pSS, and it is crucial to differentiate it from other causes of chronic cough. While corticosteroids remain a mainstay of treatment for pulmonary manifestations, there is a need for further studies to optimize diagnosis and management strategies for xerotrachea and other pulmonary complications of SS. early recognition of xerotrachea in primary Sjögren’s syndrome is essential, and a multidisciplinary approach should be taken to manage both glandular and extraglandular manifestations.

Keywords: Sjogren’s Syndrome, chronic cough, xerotrachea, fatigue; asthma, autoimmune disease, sinusitis

Corresponding author(s): Huda Allaham, Department of Internal Medicine, “Th Burghelea” Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania; email: hudaallaham18@gmail.com