World Trade Center Health Program best practices for the diagnosis and treatment of fibrosing interstitial lung diseases

• Published in: Archives of environmental & occupational health 2023, Vol.78 (4), p.232-235
• Main Authors: de la Hoz, Rafael E., Johannson, Kerri A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2001; Best practice; Diagnosis; Disease Progression; Fibrosis; Health Promotion; Human exposure; Humans; Interstitial lung disease; Lung; Lung diseases; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - diagnosis; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - etiology; Lung Diseases, Interstitial - therapy; Medical diagnosis; Medical treatment; occupational lung disease; Risk Factors; sarcoidosis; September 11 terrorist attacks-2001; smoke inhalation injury; World Trade Center Attack
• ISSN: 1933-8244; 2154-4700
• DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2023.2166007

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a diverse set of related conditions with multiple etiologies, in addition to a group where the cause is unknown. There is concern for a potential association of WTC-related exposures with ILD, but the disease range has not differed from what is observed in the general population, and active investigations to study that association are ongoing. Although these diseases are very diverse, some are extremely rare, and they often are disabling and have a poor prognosis, evidence-based guidelines for their diagnosis, management and long-term monitoring have emerged and will evolve as knowledge and therapeutic options increase. This brief article summarizes pertinent issues of diagnosis and management of ILDs, applicable to the diverse group of ILDs that have been observed in the WTC Health Program covered population.