Retrospective analysis of diffuse interstitial lung disease in 10 hospitals in Tianjin

Objective To investigate the constituent ratio and clinical features of diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD) in Tianjin, and to identify the existing problems of its diagnosis and treatment. Methods Data of all patients diagnosed as DILD in ten comprehensive hospitals in Tianjin from 2003 to 2009 was collected. The disease constituent ratio of DILD to all kinds of diseases in the respiration department or in the whole hospital, the clinical manifestation, lung function, the result of blood gas analysis, and biopsy were analyzed. Results A total of 804 DILD patients were included in the study aged (69.28±12.09) years with a male/female ratio of 1.32. The disease constituent ratios of DILD were 4.52‰ in respiratory department and 0.31‰ in the whole hospital in 2003, which increased to 35.9‰ and 1.51‰ respectively in 2009. Reticular abnormality (43.1%), ground glass (25.6%) and honeycombing (11.4%) were the predominant imaging manifestations. 26.7% patients’ lung function were tested, and 10.3% had diffusion function tests. Most patients presented with hypoxemia, and the average oxygenation index was (281±98.3) mmHg. Only 4.0% of patients underwent bronchoalveolar lavage, and 3.5% had pathologic data. Conclusion The disease constituent ratio of DILD increased progressively from 2003 to 2009. A definite diagnosis of DILD demands cooperation of physicians, radiologists and pathologists. Doctors should attach more importance on lung function test, bronchoalveolar lavage and biopsy.