Social determinants of health, early diagnosis, and ageing in patients with interstitial lung disease.

Abstract

Introduction: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a heterogenous, chronic, progressive lung disease characterized by thickening and scar fibrosis of lung tissue, interstitial alveolar damage, severe airways limitations, and impaired gas exchange which leads to breathlessness and fatigue.

Areas covered: Based on the available literature, only a few studies were identified that examined social determinants of health (SDOH) in the early diagnosis of ILD. The findings highlighted that those patients from low socioeconomic status and highly deprived communities had greater barriers in accessing healthcare, delayed diagnosis of ILD, and receiving lung transplant surgery. We discuss the challenges encountered by both patients and physicians for early diagnosis and suggest potential strategies to identify and accelerate treatment of patients with ILD.

Expert opinion: SDOH exerts substantial burdens upon patients with ILD. Delays in the diagnosis of ILD are associated with increased disease burden, elevated stress, anxiety, depression, frequent acute exacerbations, and premature death. SDOH heavily affect patients from low socioeconomic status and disadvantaged communities. Innovative strategies are required to address healthcare disparities on early diagnosis and treatment of ILD. Thus, patients with ILD and with identified SDOH may need dedicated additional support to improve care and focused areas for future research.