LUCKNOW:
Interstitial Lung Disease, a group of 200
chronic lung disorders, considered to be deadlier than cancer is going unreported in many parts of
Uttar Pradesh.
Stating this as the reason for holding an
awareness meeting for doctors including chest physicians, UP Tuberculosis association, Prof Rajendra Prasad, on Thursday said, "ILD is being confused with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic bronchitis in the districts which speaks for the compelling need to create awareness on the issue. We have estimates that about 50-60% ILD cases are confused with the asthma. In fact, a large number of such patients use inhalers. An equal number of ILD patients were diagnosed of TB."
ILD affects the tissue between air sacs of the lung, hampering the process of
oxygen diffusion in the body that leads of shortness of breath and a sinking feeling even with a little exertion. Symptoms worsen rapidly and the disease's progression may be unpredictable. As per statistics from pulmonary medicine department, King George's Medical University ILD has recorded a 10-fold increase over the past decade.
"ILD has really bothered pulmonary physicians across India. In the 1990s, we could get to see not more than 2-3 cases per year. But now, at least 5-6 cases can be seen in a single OPD," said Prof Prasad who is vice-chairman, national task force on revised national tuberculosis control programme.
The concern over ILD is high because 50% of cases are of idiopathic origin, which means that their cause is unknown. Another challenge is that there is dearth of data on the subject. "The disease is largely incurable and a person diagnosed with it cannot live for more than 2-5 years," explained Prof Prasad.
Auto-immune disease, certain forms of arthritis and drug reactions can be some of the other causes. "Unless diagnosed early, ILD of known origin doesn't give good results with medicines. Timely diagnosis of ILD can increase average life expectancy by 50%," he said.
