Project description:BackgroundThe diagnostic process for fibrotic interstitial lung disease (F-ILD) is notably intricate, necessitating a multidisciplinary discussion to achieve consensus based on both clinical and radiological features. This study investigated the shared and distinctive long-term mortality predictors among the two primary phenotypes of F-ILD, namely idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD).MethodsWe included patients with F-ILD diagnosed from December 2018 to December 2019 and conducted follow-up assessments until February 2023. Age, gender, usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern, gender-age-physiology (GAP) score, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea score, antifibrotic agent use, pulmonary function test parameters, and six-minute walking test (6MWT) parameters were recorded at baseline and used as mortality predictors in a multivariate Cox regression model.ResultsWe enrolled 104 ILD patients. The survival rate of non-IPF patients was more than twice that of IPF patients (78.9% vs. 34%, p < 0.001), and the survival rate of patients with a GAP score of 0-2 was more than twice that of patients with a score of > 2 (93.2% vs. 36.6%, p < 0.001). Older age, male gender, definite UIP pattern, higher GAP score, higher mMRC dyspnea score, lower forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), shorter 6MWT distance, and lower initial and final SpO2 were also associated with higher long-term mortality (p < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, only a GAP score of > 2 (hazard ratio [HR]:16.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.28-85.14; p = 0.001) and definite UIP pattern (HR: 4.08; 95% CI 1.07-15.5; p = 0.039) were significantly associated with overall mortality.ConclusionThe long-term mortality rate of IPF patients was higher than that of CTD-ILD patients. The GAP score and UIP patterns were significant mortality predictors for both IPF and CTD-ILD patients.
Project description:Multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) is a core element in the diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILD). The aim of the study was to investigate the implementation and key elements related to ILD MDMs in Finnish specialized care, which is characterized by long travel distances and a large number of small centers treating patients suffering from ILDs. An electronic questionnaire was sent to ILD experts working at five academic centers of Finland regarding the implementation of ILD MDMs with the focus on utilization of virtual communication. Responses were received from all academic centers of Finland (n = 5) whose catchment areas cover all of Finland. ILD MDMs were organized in each center approximately every two weeks and the core participants included a radiologist, respiratory physicians, junior staff, pathologist and a rheumatologist. All non-academic centers could refer their patients to be evaluated in ILD MDM of an academic center. Virtual communication was utilized by all academic centers in the implementation of ILD MDMs, being most common among small centers located in Eastern and Northern Finland. Virtual access to ILD MDM of an academic center was available in most parts of Finland, enabling small centers to benefit from the ILD expertise of academic centers.
Project description:Symptoms of drug-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) are nonspecific and can be difficult to distinguish from a number of illnesses that commonly occur in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) on therapy. Identification of drug involvement and differentiation from other illnesses is problematic, although radiological manifestations and clinical tests enable many of the alternative causes of symptoms in advanced NSCLC to be excluded. In lung cancer patients, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is more sensitive than a chest radiograph in evaluating the severity and progression of parenchymal lung disease. Indeed, the use of HRCT imaging has led to the recognition of many distinct patterns of lung involvement and, along with clinical signs and symptoms, helps to predict both outcome and response to treatment. This manuscript outlines the radiology of drug-associated ILD and its differential diagnosis in NSCLC. An algorithm that uses clinical tests to exclude alternative diagnoses is also described.
Project description:Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most serious pulmonary complications associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs), resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Although the various CTDs associated with ILD often are considered together because of their shared autoimmune nature, there are substantial differences in the clinical presentations and management of ILD in each specific CTD. This heterogeneity and the cross-disciplinary nature of care have complicated the conduct of prospective multicenter treatment trials and hindered our understanding of the development of ILD in patients with CTD. In this update, we present new information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ILD secondary to systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis and polymyositis, and Sjögren syndrome. We review information on risk factors for the development of ILD in the setting of CTD. Diagnostic criteria for CTD are presented as well as elements of the clinical evaluation that increase suspicion for CTD-ILD. We review the use of medications in the treatment of CTD-ILD. Although a large, randomized study has examined the impact of immunosuppressive therapy for ILD secondary to systemic sclerosis, additional studies are needed to determine optimal treatment strategies for each distinct form of CTD-ILD. Finally, we review new information regarding the subgroup of patients with ILD who meet some, but not all, diagnostic criteria for a CTD. A careful and systematic approach to diagnosis in patients with ILD may reveal an unrecognized CTD or evidence of autoimmunity in those previously believed to have idiopathic ILD.
Project description:Drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DI-ILD) is a significant complication in patients undergoing treatment with certain anti-cancer therapies, with incidence rates rising, particularly with newer drugs such as trastuzumab-deruxtecan, which may impact their safe and effective use. Although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown, and different drugs may induce lung damage through different pathways, the most recognized mechanisms are cytotoxic- and immune-mediated effects. Multidisciplinary teams play a crucial role in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of DI-ILD. Given the wide variability in the onset of DI-ILD, which may occur within the first few days of treatment or months after, patient education and clinician training are essential for early detection and improved outcomes. Moreover, the diagnostic confirmation requires the exclusion of alternative causes through clinical, imaging and bronchoscopy evaluation. Treatment strategies largely depend on the grade of severity of the clinical manifestations of DI-ILD, ranging from interruption or discontinuation of the offending drug to corticosteroid therapy and hospitalization for appropriate monitoring. Nonetheless, further research is needed to better understand the impact of emerging anti-cancer drugs on DI-ILD and to establish standardized management protocols.
Project description:The widespread use of high-resolution computed tomography in clinical and research settings has increased the detection of interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) in asymptomatic and undiagnosed individuals. We reported that in smokers, ILA were present in about 1 of every 12 high-resolution computed tomographic scans; however, the long-term significance of these subclinical changes remains unclear. Studies in families affected with pulmonary fibrosis, smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and patients with inflammatory lung disease have shown that asymptomatic and undiagnosed individuals with ILA have reductions in lung volume, functional limitations, increased pulmonary symptoms, histopathologic changes, and molecular profiles similar to those observed in patients with clinically significant interstitial lung disease (ILD). These findings suggest that, in select at-risk populations, ILA may represent early stages of pulmonary fibrosis or subclinical ILD. The growing interest surrounding this topic is motivated by our poor understanding of the inciting events and natural history of ILD, coupled with a lack of effective therapies. In this perspective, we outline past and current research focused on validating radiologic, physiological, and molecular methods to detect subclinical ILD. We discuss the limitations of the available cross-sectional studies and the need for future longitudinal studies to determine the prognostic and therapeutic implications of subclinical ILD in populations at risk of developing clinically significant ILD.
Project description:BackgroundInterstitial lung disease (ILD) may complicate the course of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD) and diagnostic biomarkers are needed. Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6), ferritin (FER) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) have been involved in the ILD development. Our study aimed to compare KL-6, FER, IL-6 and soluble mesothelin-related peptide (SMRP) concentrations in a cohort of idiopathic and SARD-ILD.Methods3169 patients were enrolled in the "UK Biomarkers in Interstitial Lung Disease (UK-BILD) Study". We selected patients affected by SARD-ILD and idiopathic ILD (usual interstitial pneumonia-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia). Serum marker concentrations were measured through chemiluminescent assays (Fujirebio Europe, Ghent, Belgium).Results1013 patients were selected for the study: 520 (51.3%) had idiopathic ILD and 493 (48.7%) SARD-ILD. Idiopathic ILD patients displayed higher KL-6 values than SARD-ILD (p = 0.0002). FER and SMRP, though within normal ranges, were significantly higher in idiopathic ILD (p<0.0001). Logistic regression showed good sensitivity (69.4%) and specificity (80.4%) selecting the variables FER and KL-6 concentrations, age and gender-male correlated with a diagnosis of idiopathic ILD.ConclusionOur study showed the excellent diagnostic value of KL-6 for detecting ILD, which irrespective of the final diagnosis and extent of disease, is always elevated and is a reliable biomarker of lung fibrosis in various diseases, ranging from idiopathic to autoimmune forms. Our study proposed an ILD differentiation model including clinical background. In this context, combination of serum markers and clinical data, as seen in our cohort, may lead to a further improvement in diagnostic accuracy for ILD.
Project description:Pulmonary hypertension is a debilitating condition that frequently develops in the setting of interstitial lung disease, likely related to chronic alveolar hypoxemia and pulmonary vascular remodeling. This disease process is likely to be identified more frequently by providers given recent advancements in definitions and diagnostic modalities, and provides practitioners with emerging opportunities to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Despite years of data suggesting against the efficacy of pulmonary vasodilator therapy in patients with pulmonary hypertension due to interstitial lung disease, new data have emerged identifying promising advancements in therapeutics. The authors present to you a comprehensive review of pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease, reviewing our current understanding of pathophysiology, updates in diagnostic approaches, and highlights of recent clinical trials which provide an effective approach for medical management.