About this Research Topic
The term interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) encompasses a broad spectrum of diseases which cause inflammation and/or fibrosis of the pulmonary interstitium. ILDs are further classified, based on clinical and pathophysiological features, into idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, autoimmune ILDs, environmental exposure-related ILDs, sarcoidosis, and other forms of ILDs (i.e. cystic lung diseases and vasculitis). ILDs are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and contribute to an increased financial burden due to costly medications, inpatient/outpatient care, and loss of productivity.
In the last two decades, there has been significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of ILDs. However, epidemiological data related to ILD remains limited. To date, most of the epidemiological studies have focused on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Since non-IPF ILDs are also associated with a progressive-fibrosing phenotype and poor outcomes, epidemiological studies focusing on all ILDs are needed to further understand the risk factors and disease behavior to reduce the overall disease burden.
There are many factors that influence the prevalence and prognosis of ILD. A combination of environmental and genetic risk factors are likely involved in the development of ILD. In addition, socioeconomic status, access to care, and availability of treatments determine timely diagnosis and overall outcomes. Epidemiological studies in ILD evaluating the disease burden, temporal patterns, and demographical and geographical differences can provide further insight into risk factors that are common to all patients with ILD, or specific to certain ILD subtypes. Identification of these risk factors and population-based differences are an important step in implementing preventive measures to reduce disease burden.
For this research topic collection, we invite ILD epidemiological studies utilizing community cohorts, large registries, databases and other resources that describe the burden of ILD or provide insights into genetic and environmental risk factors.
We accept clinical trials, original research and review articles examining the epidemiology of ILD related to the following topics:
-Prevalence rates and trends
-Mortality rates and trends
-Quality of life
-Genetics
-Demographics
-Access to care
-Validation of diagnostic criteria/codes
In the last two decades, there has been significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of ILDs. However, epidemiological data related to ILD remains limited. To date, most of the epidemiological studies have focused on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Since non-IPF ILDs are also associated with a progressive-fibrosing phenotype and poor outcomes, epidemiological studies focusing on all ILDs are needed to further understand the risk factors and disease behavior to reduce the overall disease burden.
There are many factors that influence the prevalence and prognosis of ILD. A combination of environmental and genetic risk factors are likely involved in the development of ILD. In addition, socioeconomic status, access to care, and availability of treatments determine timely diagnosis and overall outcomes. Epidemiological studies in ILD evaluating the disease burden, temporal patterns, and demographical and geographical differences can provide further insight into risk factors that are common to all patients with ILD, or specific to certain ILD subtypes. Identification of these risk factors and population-based differences are an important step in implementing preventive measures to reduce disease burden.
For this research topic collection, we invite ILD epidemiological studies utilizing community cohorts, large registries, databases and other resources that describe the burden of ILD or provide insights into genetic and environmental risk factors.
We accept clinical trials, original research and review articles examining the epidemiology of ILD related to the following topics:
-Prevalence rates and trends
-Mortality rates and trends
-Quality of life
-Genetics
-Demographics
-Access to care
-Validation of diagnostic criteria/codes
Keywords: Interstitial Lung Diseases, risk factors, epidemiology, inflammation, fibrosis, sarcoidosis
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