MATERIALS-METHODS
Thirty five patients diagnosed with SS and referred by the Department of Rheumatology to determine potential lung involvement to the 8th chest diseases outpatient clinic of our hospital between September 2015 and december 2018 were included in this study. Respiratory signs, demographic features, length of disease and treatment regimens, pulmonary function test (PFT), data of 6-minute walk test (MWT) and findings of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the patients were retrospectively obtained from hospital information system and patient files.
The diagnosis of SS was made according to the 2002 international classification Criteria for SS and / or 2016 ACR / EULAR Classification criteria when the hospital registration details was examined (6,7).
A clinical spirometer was used to conduct pulmonary function tests (PFTs) (SensorMedics Vmax spectra 229, Bilthoven, The Netherlands). Patients performed the maximal expiratory flow maneuver. Forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (FEF25- 75%) and DLCO values were obtained and FEV1 / FVC was measured. According to the previously defined guidelines, standard PFTs like spirometry and lung volumes were examined (8).
The patients were classified into four groups according to their PFT : obstructive (FEV1 / FVC <70%), restrictive (FEV1 / FVC <70% and FVC <80% and DLCO <80%) and small airway obstruction (FEF25-75% <65%) and normal (8).
6MWT is a technique that measures exercise capasity within six minutes in individuals with chronic lung disease. The distance walked, initial and final oxygen saturation, the changes in the heart rate and dyspnea indoors within six minutes at a distance of 30 meters were recorded.
According to the HRCT findings, the patients were classified into two groups as with or without CT findings, and the ground glass densities in the lung parenchyma, consolidation, bronchiectasis, interstitial thickening, peribronchial thickening, reticular appearance, and honeycomb appearance were identified as positive findings.