High-rate pulmonary involvement in autoimmune pancreatitis

Intern Med J. 2006 Jan;36(1):58-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2006.01009.x.

Abstract

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) has extrapancreatic complications such as Sjögren's syndrome, retroperitoneal fibrosis and sclerosing cholangitis. We studied 30 patients with AIP. Of these, we identified pulmonary involvement in four patients during follow up. Among them, two patients had respiratory failure. They showed good response to steroid therapy, but a higher dose of prednisolone was necessary to maintain remission than that required in biliary involvement. Elevation of immunoglobulin G(4) and Krebs von den Lungen-6 levels were characteristic of pulmonary involvement. They may be useful for early detection of pulmonary complication.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications*
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
  • Pancreatitis / complications*
  • Pancreatitis / immunology
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / therapy

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisolone