Malang Respiratory Journal
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2026): Volume 8 No 1, March 2026 Edition

53-year-old Woman with Sjögren's Syndrome and Anti-synthetase Syndrome Manifesting as Interstitial Lung Disease

Krisdiyanto, Peter (Unknown)
Noor Chozin, Iin (Unknown)
Rakhma, Sastia (Unknown)
Rachma Erawati, Dini (Unknown)
Aditya Rahman, Perdana (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
25 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) one of rare disease (approximately 1,0% population) that common manifest as Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). This pathological condition has a poor prognosis, causes mortality, and is the most common complication. One of the systemic autoimmune diseases characterized by impaired function of the exocrine glands. Anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS) is an autoimmune condition, characterized by aminoacyl-transfer-RNA-synthetase antibodies accompanied by ILD, myositis, or arthritis. Case Report: A 53-year-old housewife was diagnosed with SS 3 years ago with osteoporosis and spinal compression. Complaints of dry skin, muscle weakness, back pain, joint pain, and shortness of breath after doing strenuous activities. History of treatment with Azathioprine 2 x 50 mg for 1 month and replaced with Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 2 x 360 mg after ILD was found on High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT). Laboratory results showed anemia Hb 10.3, elevated CK-NAC levels (563 U/L), and positive anti-PL-7-Ab results. HRCT shows Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP). Body-plethysmography results shows respiratory restriction (40%). Discussion: SS is identified by the presence of myositis-specific antibodies, accompanied by at least 2 conditions, ILD, inflammatory myopathy, or inflammatory polyarthritis. Anti-threonyl-tRNA-synthetase specific antibody (anti-PL-7) is one of the rarest. ILD presentation on HRCT helps identify SS or combination of ASS. The type of ILD that appears inpatients is a picture of UIP. Treatment of SS with Azathioprine is replaced with MMF after ILD is known and if progress is found, there is a place for giving anti-fibrotics. Conclusion: A 53-year-old woman with SS who found specific anti-PL-7 antibodies manifested ILD and inflammatory myopathy supports a combined diagnosis of ASS.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

mrj

Publisher

Subject

Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Education Health Professions Immunology & microbiology Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health Other

Description

Malang Respiratory Journal is the official open-access journal of Department of Pulmonology Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia. It publishes articles two times per year. It is a peer reviewed publication of Indonesian Pulmonology and Respiratory ...