Interdisciplinary Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease and Connective Tissue Disease

Abstract

A diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) can be challenging, and the identification of an associated connective tissue disease (CTD) is crucial to estimate prognosis and to establish the optimal treatment approach. Diagnostic delay, limited expertise, and fragmented care are barriers that impede the delivery of comprehensive health care for patients with rare, complex, and multiorgan diseases such as CTD and ILD. In this article, we present our perspective on the interdisciplinary diagnosis and interprofessional treatment of patients with ILD and suspected CTD or CTD at risk of ILD. We outline the structure of our service, delineating the roles and responsibilities of the team members. Additionally, we provide an overview of our patient population, including diagnostic approaches and specific treatments, and illustrate a patient case. Furthermore, we focus on specific benefits and challenges of joint interdisciplinary and interprofessional patient consultations. The importance of rheumatology and pulmonology assessments in specific patient populations is emphasized. Finally, we explore future directions and discuss potential strategies to improve care delivery for patients with CTD-associated ILD.