Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)

Interstitial lung diseases are a group of lung conditions also known as pulmonary fibrosis. They have in common a buildup of scar tissue in the lungs thought to be caused by injury and inflammation. The most common symptoms of ILD are shortness of breath with exertion and a dry cough.

Causes of ILD

• Environmental exposure (asbestosis, metal dust, wood dust, fumes and gases)
• Connective Tissue Disease (scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis)
• Drug Toxicity (chemotherapy, radiation)
• Infections
• Inherited causes (familial diseases)
• Unknown (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sarcoidosis, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis LAM)

Incidence of ILD

About 100,000 hospitalizations per year
About 15 % are seen by a Pulmonologist

Diagnosis of ILD

It is important to distinguish the cause of the ILD since treatment can vary from one ILD to the next. The doctors at the Emory Center for the Treatment and Study of Interstitial Lung Disease will first need information from the following tests and procedures to diagnose ILD.

• Complete medical history and physical examination
• Chest x-ray
• Pulmonary Function Tests – A breathing test to measure how well a patient’s lungs work.
• Blood tests