The far reaching implications of Interstitial Lung Diseases Delayed Diagnosis

<bold>Background:</bold> Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) present a diagnostic challenge due to their nonspecific symptomatology, often leading to delayed diagnosis. This delay can significantly impact patient outcomes, necessitating an in-depth examination of diagnostic timelines in ILD cases. <bold>Materials and Methods:</bold> A retrospective study was conducted using data from our Hospital of Pulmonary Diseases. We reviewed 455 cases (2013-2020) with a primary discharge diagnosis of ILD (ICD-10 J84.X). The analysis focused on prior hospital admissions, the frequency of non-ILD diagnoses, and the patterns of misdiagnosis. The criteria included examining the number of patients previously admitted without an ILD diagnosis and identifying commonly misattributed conditions. <bold>Results:</bold> Our findings reveal that 33% (150) of ILD patients had at least one hospital presentation before receiving their diagnosis, while 26% (118) had two or more. Notably, 38% received at least one different diagnosis, and 48% had two or more disparate diagnoses in previous hospitalizations. The most frequent incorrect diagnoses were lower respiratory tract infections (80%), followed by asthma (11%), and bronchiectasis (9%). <bold>Results and Discussion:</bold> The data underscores a significant delay in ILD diagnosis, often due to unspecific symptoms and the lack of disease recognition. This delay can lead to inappropriate treatments and a potential worsening of patient outcomes, highlighting the need for increased awareness and a more systematic approach in evaluating patients presenting with non-specific respiratory symptoms.