The patient had a history of 8-10 admissions in 4-5 months at various hospitals in various regions for the aforesaid
complaints. She has been receiving treatment for complicated pneumonia, non-resolving pneumonia, organising
pneumonia, long-haul COVID, complicated pneumonia & septicemia. The treatment protocols included broad-spectrum IV and nebulised antibiotics, nebulisation, steroids, antifibrotics, oxygen therapy, BIPAP, anticoagulants, antitussives, and symptomatic medication.
However, she remained unrelieved of her symptoms, and her clinical condition continuously worsened. She was referred to us for further management in a critical state.
A 39-year-old female patient from Madhya Pradesh was admitted to the Department of Pulmonology at the CK Birla Hospital. The patient complained of severe breathlessness – Grade 5 MRC even on high flow oxygen support at 15 lit/min. She was also affected with severe Type 1 respiratory failure and severe paroxysmal dry cough, headache, severe generalised body ache and high grade fever for the last four to five months. Patient autoimmune profile was strongly positive for anti jo antibody which is specific for patients suffering from inflammatory myopathies which is seen very rarely and commonly misdiagnosed.
Anti synthetase syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple body parts. In this condition, certain antibodies target specific proteins in the body that lead to the abnormal functioning of the immune system. As a result, this condition causes diverse symptoms, including inflammation of the muscles and interstitial lung disease.
ARDS stands for acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this condition, excess fluid fills up in the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs causing less oxygen intake. Common symptoms of ARDS include severe shortness of breath, low blood pressure and abnormally rapid breathing.
