Interstitial Lung Diseases (DPLD - diffuse parenchymal lung diseases)

Question 1

What are DPLD’s?

Answer 1

A group of disease that are characterised by inflammation and fibrosis of the pulmonary inerstitium

Question 2

What are the features of DPLD’s?

Answer 2

Insidious onset
Dyspnoea
Cough
Bilateral Inspiratory crackles

Question 3

What type of spirometry pattern do they have?

Answer 3

Restrictive

Question 4

What tests should be done for DPLD?

Answer 4

CXR
bronchoalveolar lavage - excludes other diseases
HRCT scans

Question 5

What are the types of DPLD?

Answer 5

Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonitis
Non-unsual Interstitial pneumonitis
DPLP due to causes
Granulomatous DPLD - sarcoid

Question 6

What are the causes of “DPLD due to causes” ?

Answer 6

Drug induced DPLD
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Connective tissue disease (Rheumatoid arthritis)
Occupational Lung disease

Question 7

What is the treatment of DPLD?

Answer 7

Oxygen
Steroids
Immunosupressive agents (Azithropine)