Acute Medicine | Breathlessness 04 knowledge C for GPs

Difficulties of Treating Interstitial Lung Disease
Session overview
Description
This session looks at interstitial lung disease (ILD), with an emphasis on those types that can present acutely. It identifies treatments with some evidence of benefit.

Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Outline the complexity and limitations of treating interstitial lung disease (ILD), particularly those forms that can present acutely

Management goals vary considerably depending on the type of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Some conditions can be fairly rapidly progressive and require swift treatment with immunosuppression, but only after infection has been carefully excluded. They may require high dependency or intensive care if respiratory failure ensues.

Other forms of ILD do not respond well to immunosuppression and in these cases it is important to minimise toxicity of treatment. Oxygen therapy and palliative care are important. A few patients may be suitable for lung transplantation.

Treatment is generally instigated by a respiratory specialist. Response to therapy should be closely monitored, with serial lung function testing, and often serial imaging during outpatient follow up.