This study aimed to retrospectively describe 15 new primary Sjögren's syndrome-pulmonary arterial hypertension (pSS-PAH) cases confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC). Demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed and risk factors for PAH in pSS were explored.
We retrospectively described 15 new pSS-PAH cases confirmed by RHC referred to our institution between January 2013 and March 2018. We present PAH and pSS characteristics, hemodynamic evaluations, medical management, and outcomes. A matched case control study was carried out to determine the risk factors of PAH in pSS compared with pSS-non-PAH patients.
All patients were female with a mean age at PAH diagnosis of 52.9 ± 14.6 years. The delay between the first symptom and PAH diagnosis was 18.7 ± 19.7 months. The most common primary manifestation at PAH onset was exertional dyspnea (13/15). At diagnosis of PAH, PAH was severe with a mean pulmonary artery pressure of 48.8 ± 13.7 mm Hg (range, 27-72 mm Hg) and a mean cardiac index of 2.3 ± 0.6 L/min/m
For pSS patients, PAH can be the first manifestation. We believe that systemic evaluation, especially in patients with pericardial effusion and liver involvement, is important to identify high-risk patients for PAH, improving their prognosis.