ILDs are a heterogeneous group of lung disorders that vary in etiology1,2

There are over 200 types of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) of known or unknown causes.1

ILD lung disorders chart showing types of ILDsflow_chart_mob

Figure adapted from Cottin V et al. Eur Respir Rev. 2018;27(150):180076. doi:10.1183/16000617.0076-2018

*Eg, asbestosis, silicosis.1

  • Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most common ILDs and has no known cause1,3
  • ILD is a common manifestation in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)4

Pulmonary fibrosis scars and stiffens tissue, making it harder to breathe5-8

Flowchart showing increasing fibrosis leading to decreased lung function, worsening quality of life, and daily symptom burden. Flowchart showing increasing fibrosis leading to decreased lung function, worsening quality of life, and daily symptom burden.

Progressive pulmonary fibrosis can lead to irreversible lung damage and early mortality, warranting urgent referral and identification9,10

Patients share the day-to-day challenges of living with ILD

ILD patient 1

It got to the point where I couldn’t even open a bottle of water and I was too fatigued to step foot into the grocery store. Many days, I couldn’t even get off the couch. I had to start reaching out for help.
-Kheesa, living with SSc-ILD

ILD patient 2

Minor tasks had become more difficult. Talking and walking provoked coughing. […] At night, after I climbed the stairs to put our daughter to bed, I had to sit by the side of her bed to catch my breath.
-Maryluz, recipient of a lung transplant for IPF

ILD patient 3

I was sick a lot, had walking pneumonia, breathing issues, wheezing and coughing. It got to the point that I could no longer do yard work, which was something so ingrained in my life.
-Jim, living with RA-ILD

Presenting symptoms of ILD are nonspecific graphic Recognize signs of ILD 
Alert graphic with message to sound the ILD alarm Learn about the role of PCPs 
Document graphic with message about resources for you and your patients View resources 
Magnifying glass graphic with message to discover more about ILD Visit the site 

PCP, primary care physician; RA-ILD, rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease; SSc-ILD, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease.

References

  1. Cottin V et al. Eur Respir Rev. 2018;27(150):180076.
  2. Cottin V et al. Eur Respir Rev. 2019;28(153):180100.
  3. Raghu G et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011;183(6):788-824.
  4. Fischer A, Distler J. Clin Rheumatol. 2019;38(10):2673-2681.
  5. Wollin L et al. Eur Respir J. 2019;54(3):1900161.
  6. Selman M et al. Ann Intern Med. 2001;134(2):136-151.
  7. Tonelli R et al. BMC Pulm Med. 2017;17(1):130.
  8. Swigris JJ et al. Eur Respir Rev. 2018;27(150):180075.
  9. Wynn TA. J Exp Med. 2011;208(7);1339-1350.
  10. Zibrak JD, Price D. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2014;24:14054.