Inhalative Treatment of Laryngitis Sicca in Patients with Sjogren's Syndrome-A Pilot Study

Xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca are the main symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome. Often patients also suffer from laryngeal complaints, but there is a lack of specific treatment options. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a liposomal inhalation therapy. Patients with Sjogren's syndrome were included and received a two-month period of liposomal inhalation therapy. The effect was evaluated by standardized questionnaires (patient-reported indices) and measurement of unstimulated whole salivary flow and glandular stiffness. Forty-five patients were included in this study. A comparison of baseline and therapeutic values demonstrated a significant improvement of the EULAR Sjogren's syndrome patient reported index (ESSPRI) with a baseline of 5.0 +/- 2.1 and a therapeutic value of 4.1 +/- 2.4 (p = 0.012). This improvement was mainly based on the item on dryness within this score. Overall, the therapy was well tolerated. In conclusion, an inhalative application of liposomes had a beneficial effect on the reported dryness in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. A first insight into the effect of inhalation therapy on laryngeal symptoms could thus be obtained and at the same time the basis was created on which case calculations can be carried out in the future.