What is interstitial lung disease?

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an umbrella term for a group of more than 200 lung disorders characterized by inflammation and/or scarring of the interstitium of the lungs, which is the network of tissue that supports the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs¹. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis (PF). In someone with pulmonary fibrosis, the lungs become scarred, thickened and stiff, losing their ability to take in and transfer oxygen to the bloodstream². This results in breathlessness and difficulty breathing.

A proportion of people living with ILDs develop progressive pulmonary fibrosis, meaning symptoms worsen over time. This includes a decline in lung function, worsening of respiratory symptoms and deterioration in health-related quality of life³.

Early diagnosis is key to improving patient outcomes, and partnering with pulmonologists to improve awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals is imperative to reach this goal.
 

The importance of innovation in interstitial lung disease

Karen Moor, pulmonologist in training and post-doctoral researcher in ILDs, shares her journey into the field, reflecting on her early career and experiences learning about ILDs. In this video she provides advice for aspiring pulmonologists and non-ILD experts and explains the importance of dedicated training on the condition. 

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¹Asthma and Lung UK. What is pulmonary fibrosis? Available here. Last accessed: August 2023. 
²Martinez FJ, Collard HR, Pardo A, et al. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17074.
³Boehringer One/ ILD & Pulmonary Fibrosis. Available here. Last accessed: August 2023.