An Observational Cross Sectional Study on the Diagnosis of Possible Interstitial Ling Disease Through Imaging and Clinical Findings in and Around Prayagraj

Background: The term interstitial lung diseases is an broad term for large group of lung diseases rather than a specific disease entity. The interstitium includes the space between epithelium and endothelial basement membranes, it is the primary site of injury in ILD. However, these disorders not only affects interstitium but also airspaces and vessels, peripheral airways. Objectives: To find out the distribution of various types of ILD in and around Prayagraj. Methods: A Observational study was conducted between October 2022 and January 2024 in MLN Medical college Prayagraj. Baseline demographic details, clinical symptoms, signs, radiological findings (chest radiograph and HRCT Thorax), serology and Lung function test were perfomed and diagnosis of type of interstitial lung disease was made using multidisciplinary discussion. Results: A total of 140 patients were recruited of which 70.5% were females. Most common ILD subtype in our study was connective tissue disease associated ILD -76 patients. Most common type of CTD ILD observed in our study was Rheumatoid-ILD (51 patients) and most common HRCT finding was UIP pattern (80.3%) and most commonly observed Lung function abnormality was moderate restriction. Conclusion: Connective tissue disease-associated ILD was the most common ILD found in our study around prayagraj. This suggests that the distribution of ILD would vary depending on the geographical area and the environmental exposure, occupation, and smoking habits which is different with the Indian ILD registry. (