Interstitial Lung Abnormalities (ILA) and Pulmonary Fibrosis

This review identifies the similarities and differences between interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) and pulmonary fibrosis in terms of clinical relevance, radiological features, histological features, genetics, pathophysiology, and biomarkers, and presents clinical management with a focus on ILA and future perspectives.

ILA and pulmonary fibrosis, especially idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, may share common biological, radiological, and histopathological features and are increasingly understood as a spectrum of fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. ILA, especially subpleural fibrotic subtype, are associated with radiological progression and increased mortality and are clinically important for early risk detection of pulmonary fibrosis. Traction bronchiectasis/bronchiolectasis index (TBI) is particularly valuable to further stratify the prognosis of ILA individuals.

To improve the prognosis of patients with pulmonary fibrosis, further advances in a multifaceted approach to understand the spectrum of pulmonary fibrosis and stratify the risk of progression to pulmonary fibrosis in ILA individuals are warranted.