[Pulmonary hypertension revealing systemic diseases: two Senegalese case reports]

Dakar Med. 2007;52(3):175-9.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complication of autoimmune diseases which worsen the prognosis. In Senegal, a few cases of PH have been previously reported in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Case reports: We report two cases of patients with PH that revealed autoimmune diseases (Sharp' syndrome and Sjögren syndrome). Epidemiological, clinical, evolutive and laboratory data were analyzed. Evolution of disease was favourable for one patient and fatal for the other.

Conclusion: These two cases show necessity of early diagnosis of systemic diseases in our countries. PH should be screened in each patient with autoimmune disease before installation of irreversible pulmonary arterial lesions that respond to treatment. New therapy used in idiopathic PH are not yet accessible for our patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / complications
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / diagnosis*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / diagnosis*