Abstract / Summary
Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) comprises a heterogeneous group of diffuse parenchymal lung disorders characterized by progressive inflammation and fibrosis, leading to impaired pulmonary function, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. Because the clinical and radiological manifestations of ILD often overlap with other respiratory and cardiac conditions, patients frequently experience diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis, resulting in inappropriate treatment and disease progression. This study aimed to determine the frequency of diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis among patients with interstitial lung disease and to assess their association with demographic and clinical factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pulmonology, from 6-02-2026 to 6-05-2026 including 194 patients with confirmed interstitial lung disease aged 18–80 years were included in the study. Diagnostic delay was defined as diagnosis made more than six months after onset of symptoms, while misdiagnosis was defined as any previous incorrect respiratory diagnosis before confirmation of interstitial lung disease. Data were analyzed using SPSS-25. Chi-square test and Fisher’s Exact test were applied for stratified analysis. Results: Mean age of the patients was 54.19±17.28 years and mean BMI was 22.68±3.01 kg/m². Females comprised 133 (68.6%) participants and 114 (58.8%) belonged to rural areas. The most common presenting symptom was breathlessness 94 (48.5%), followed by chronic cough 52 (26.8%). Misdiagnosis was observed in 136 (70.1%) patients, while diagnostic delay was identified in 142 (73.2%). Tuberculosis 40 (29.4%) and asthma 38 (27.9%) were the most frequent previous incorrect diagnoses. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was the commonest type of interstitial lung disease 52 (26.8%). Diagnostic delay was significantly associated with age above 50 years (p<0.001) and type of interstitial lung disease (p=0.026). Conclusion: Diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis were highly prevalent among patients with interstitial lung disease.