Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Drug-Induced Lung Disease: What Are the Prevalence and Risk Factors of DILD?

Abstract

The precise frequency of drug-induced lung disease (DILD) is unclear, but the reported number of cases of DILD has been increasing, especially after reports of severe DILD caused by gefitinib in Japan. General risk factors for DILD include current smoking, old age, preexisting lung disease (especially interstitial pneumonia), history of thoracic surgery or irradiation of the lung, and renal failure. There are ethnic differences in the frequency of DILD caused by certain drugs, and genetic factors may partially contribute to this. In addition to classic antineoplastic agents, antirheumatic drugs, interferon, herbal medicine, and molecularly targeted drugs frequently cause DILD. Checkpoint inhibitors can also cause severe interstitial lung disease (ILD) as one of a variety of side effects associated with their immunomodulatory function.