Indian Council of Medical Research’s network of pulmonary fibrosis (INPF): A big step forward towards understanding interstitial lung diseases in India

ABSTRACT Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a serious irreversible, often progressive, lung condition that can lead to respiratory failure and early death. Indian data on epidemiology of the disease is scarce. To better understand the nation-wide burden, population characteristics and treatment outcomes, and capacity building of clinicians for management of patients with ILDs, ICMR’s Network of Pulmonary Fibrosis (INPF) was established. Objective: To describe the rationale, protocol, and current status of INPF. Materials and Methods: The network, consisting of 23 centres across the country, was formally launched in August 2022. Governed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and its task force (TF) committee, INPF has been recruiting all new and previously diagnosed adult patients (age >18 years) with ILDs. The diagnosis and sub classification of ILD was based on multi-disciplinary team discussion (MDD). The data is secured in the online database incorporated in the INPF website. Progress of the network is continuously monitored by the investigators at the centres and by the TF at the ICMR. Results: As on February 2026, 11,544 have been enrolled in INPF. Connective disease associated-ILD (CTD-ILD) was the most common ILD constituting 28.46% (3,286) of the patients. Currently, patients are being enrolled for four proposed sub-studies with satisfactory progress. Four capacity building sessions has been conducted. Conclusion: INPF is one of the largest ILD registries in the world. It also provides pulmonologists a platform to conduct research in ILD and better equip themselves to manage patients.

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Publication Details

Journal
Lung India
Published
2026-06-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_204_26
Primary Topic
Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Type
article
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article

Indian Council of Medical Research’s network of pulmonary fibrosis (INPF): A big step forward towards understanding interstitial lung diseases in India

Basanta Hazarika, Sonam Spalgais, Dharm Prakash Dwivedi, Manu Chopra et al.
Lung India
Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
article

Indian Council of Medical Research’s network of pulmonary fibrosis (INPF): A big step forward towards understanding interstitial lung diseases in India

Basanta Hazarika, Sonam Spalgais, Dharm Prakash Dwivedi, Manu Chopra, Naveen Dutt, Danveer Bhadu, B Isaac, Vijay Nongpiur, Rupinder Singh Dhaliwal, Girish Sindhwani, Amitabh Sengupta, V Hadda, Puneet Saxena, Bharat Bhushan Sharma, D Christopher, Pawan Tiwari, Ashu Seith Bhalla, Dhruva Choudhary, Parvaiz A Koul, S Dhooria, Geetika Yadav, Nazia Mehfooz, Vishnukanth Govindharaj, Kavitha Venkatnarayan, S Arava, A Mohan, P R Mohapatra, S Mittal, Sheetu Singh, Randeep Guleria, Deepali Jain, Rohit Kumar, Raj Kumar, Mansi Gupta, Alok Nath, Abhishek Goyal, Ajoy Behera, Irfan Ayub, Vikas Marwa, Saurabh Karmakar
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a serious irreversible, often progressive, lung condition that can lead to respiratory failure and early death. Indian data on epidemiology of the disease is scarce. To better understand the nation-wide burden, population characteristics and treatment outcomes, and capacity building of clinicians for management of patients with ILDs, ICMR’s Network of Pulmonary Fibrosis (INPF) was established. Objective: To describe the rationale, protocol, and current status of INPF. Materials and Methods: The network, consisting of 23 centres across the country, was formally launched in August 2022. Governed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and its task force (TF) committee, INPF has been recruiting all new and previously diagnosed adult patients (age >18 years) with ILDs. The diagnosis and sub classification of ILD was based on multi-disciplinary team discussion (MDD). The data is secured in the online database incorporated in the INPF website. Progress of the network is continuously monitored by the investigators at the centres and by the TF at the ICMR. Results: As on February 2026, 11,544 have been enrolled in INPF. Connective disease associated-ILD (CTD-ILD) was the most common ILD constituting 28.46% (3,286) of the patients. Currently, patients are being enrolled for four proposed sub-studies with satisfactory progress. Four capacity building sessions has been conducted. Conclusion: INPF is one of the largest ILD registries in the world. It also provides pulmonologists a platform to conduct research in ILD and better equip themselves to manage patients.

Lung India
All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raipur (IN), Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (IN), Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (IN), Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (IN), SMS Medical College (IN), Christian Medical College, Vellore (IN), Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital (IN), Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (IN), Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (IN), All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jodhpur (IN), North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (IN), Sawai Man Singh Hospital (IN), Indian Council of Medical Research (IN), Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IN), All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal (IN), Christian Medical College (IN), All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar (IN), St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences (IN), Army Hospital Research and Referral (IN), All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh (IN), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (IN), Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IN), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (IN), Armed Forces Medical College (IN)
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Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
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