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. 2022 Nov;77(11):1149-1151.
doi: 10.1136/thorax-2022-219068. Epub 2022 Aug 8.

Lung cancer screening provides an opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment of interstitial lung disease

Richard J Hewitt  1   2 , Emily C Bartlett  3 , Rea Ganatra  1 , Haroun Butt  1 , Vasilis Kouranos  1   4 , Felix Chua  1   4 , Maria Kokosi  1   4 , Philip L Molyneaux  1   2 , Sujal R Desai  3   4 , Athol U Wells  1   4 , R Gisli Jenkins  1   4 , Elisabetta A Renzoni  1   4 , Samuel V Kemp  3   5 , Anand Devaraj  3   4 , Peter M George  6   4
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Lung cancer screening provides an opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment of interstitial lung disease

Richard J Hewitt et al. Thorax. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) can be incidentally detected in patients undergoing low-dose CT screening for lung cancer. In this retrospective study, we explore the downstream impact of ILA detection on interstitial lung disease (ILD) diagnosis and treatment. Using a targeted approach in a lung cancer screening programme, the rate of de novo ILD diagnosis was 1.5%. The extent of abnormality on CT and severity of lung function impairment, but not symptoms were the most important factors in differentiating ILA from ILD. Disease modifying therapies were commenced in 39% of ILD cases, the majority being antifibrotic therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Keywords: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Interstitial Fibrosis; Lung Cancer.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE COI disclosure form and declare no support from any organisation for the submitted work. ECB, RG, HB, FC, MK, SVK report no competing interests. RJH reports participation in Boehringer Ingelheim educational events. VK reports speaker fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Roche. PLM reports grants from AstraZeneca, consulting fees from Hoffman-La Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca and speaker fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Hoffman-La Roche. SRD reports consulting fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Astra-Zeneca; participation on a data safety monitoring board for Astra-Zeneca. AUW reports consulting fees and speaker fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, and participation on a data safety monitoring or advisory board for Veracyte. RGJ reports grants from Astra Zeneca, Biogen, Galecto (all paid to institution); grants from GlaxoSmithKline, Nordic Biosciences, RedX, Pliant; consulting fees from Bristol Myers Squibb, Chiesi, Daewoong, Resolution Therapeutics, Pliant, Veracyte; speaker fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Roche, PatientMPower, AztraZeneca; participation on a data safety monitoring board for Boehringer Ingelheim, Galapagos, Vicore; and is the President of Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis. EAR reports a grant, consulting fees and speaker fees from Boehringer Ingelheim (paid to institution); speaker fees from Roche and Chiesi (paid to institution); support to attend the ATS conference from Boehringer Ingelheim. AD reports consulting fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Brainomix, Galapagos, Galecto, Vicore. PMG reports grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, MRC, Imperial College BRC; consulting fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, AstraZeneca; speaker fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Cipla; support to attend the ATS and ERS from Boehringer Ingelheim and Roche; and is Medical Director of Brainomix LTD Stock options.

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