Diagnostic Performance of the Chest Interstitial Lung Disease Patient Questionnaire

Abstract

<b>Introduction:</b> Several patient questionnaires were developed and are commonly used to assist in identifying the cause for interstitial lung diseases (ILD). However, there are no validated and internationally accepted questionnaires, and research to test their utility in clinical practice is scarce. <b>Aims and objectives:</b> The aim of this study was to assess the clinical utility of the Chest ILD Patient Questionnaire in identifying ILD-related exposures <b>Methods:</b> This retrospective study assessed the performance of the Chest Questionnaire in consecutive ILD patients presenting to a tertiary ILD center. The results of Chest Questionnaires routinely filled by patients were analyzed together with clinical and demographic data retrieved from the patients’ medical records. To assess the clinical performance of the questionnaire, we compared the findings in each item with any additional findings detected by the physician during the office visit. <b>Results:</b> The final cohort for analysis included 62 patients. Relevant exposures were more common among patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) (p=0.04). HP related exposures were missed by the questionnaire and discovered only by the physician for 15 patients (46.9%), all with an exposure to mold or birds. The questionnaire performance was also low for general exposures, with positive findings in only 48.3% of all patients. Shortness&nbsp;of breath frequency and duration were the questionnaire items with the lowest compliance. <b>Conclusions:</b> Environmental and occupational exposures relevant to ILD were frequently missed by the Chest Questionnaire. Therefore, its use should be accompanied with careful history taking by the physician.