CLINICAL PROFILE OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASES CASES

Background: There are very few studies are done on interstitial lung diseases (ILD) in India. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 30 patients of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) proven interstitial lung diseases in tertiary care centre. Results: Most common etiological causes of ILD were occupational (46.62%), Rheumatoid Arthritis (13.32%), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (33.33 %). Majority were in age group 40-49 years (mean age-45.23 years) and 66.5% male patients. Common symptoms were breathlessness on exertion (100%), dry cough (43.29%), anorexia (50%) and joint pain (16.65%). Clubbing and bilateral crepitations were present in 50% and 63.27% of patients respectively. X- ray chest showed reticulo-nodular pattern (60%). Restrictive pattern (96.57%) was present in majority patients in spirometry. Conclusion: Availability of non-invasive investigations like HRCT chest has increased our early recognitions of ILDs. Association of ILD in patients with autoimmune diseases must be ruled out. [National J of Med Res 2012; 2(1.000): 2-4]