Complication of Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia in an Elderly Patient with Sjögren Syndrome

An 81-year-old Japanese male with primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) developed a low-grade fever and productive cough which were refractory to antibiotic therapy. Based on the high level of eosinophils observed in his bronchial alveolar lavage, he was diagnosed with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP) and successfully treated by oral prednisolone. Interstitial lung diseases associated with pSS (pSS-ILDs) usually present as nonspecific interstitial pneumonia or usual interstitial pneumonia; therefore, the present case is extremely unique in that the patientʼs condition was complicated with CEP. A diagnosis of advanced gallbladder cancer was made in the patientʼs clinical course, suggesting the advisability of a whole-body workup in cases of pSS, especially in elderly patients.