Clinical-Epidemiological Profile and Distribution of Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Tertiary Care Centre Experience from North India

Background: The Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) India registry, which included more than 1000 patients across 27 centers of the country, reported Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) to be the most common ILD in India, followed by Connective Tissue Disease-related ILD (CTD-ILD) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). This study was carried out to evaluate whether the spectrum of ILDs at our center conforms to the national data. Aims: To evaluate the clinical and epidemiological profile, distribution of various ILDs, and any association of the type of ILD with clinical parameters. Materials and methods: A prospective, observational study was carried out at a tertiary care center in North India, where patients having symptoms and radiological features suggestive of ILD were evaluated for clinical, radiological features and spirometric indices. Results: A total of 83 patients with ILD were evaluated. The mean age was 53.76 ± 13.07 years. The male-to-female ratio was 0.97. The mean FEV1 was 1.41 ± 0.38 L, mean FVC was 1.57 ± 0.43 L and the mean FEV1/FVC was 90.26 ± 8.99%. The mean 6 MWD was 270.85 ± 110.52 m. Reticulation and honeycombing were the most common radiological features. IPF was the most common ILD (28.9%). Conclusion: IPF was the most common ILD at our center. A statistically significant association was found between type of ILD and age, gender, past ATT intake, HTN, clubbing, and FEV1/FVC%.