Impact of time to diagnosis in patients with progressive fibrotic ILD: a systematic review.
BMJ Open Respir ResSep 18, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchPulmonology
Zhongyi Deng, Stefan Karrasch, Peter Alter et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review examined the time to diagnosis in patients with progressive fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILD), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Analyzing 34 studies with 36,621 patients, the median time from symptom onset to diagnosis ranged from 6.0 to 25.2 months. Delays were linked to worse survival and quality of life.
Key findings
- Median time from symptom onset to diagnosis ranged from 6.0 to 25.2 months.
- Between 30% and 77% of patients experienced delays greater than 12.0 months.
- 21% to 87% of patients were misdiagnosed, often with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases.
- Increased diagnostic time was associated with more advanced disease and higher hospitalization rates.
Why it matters
Understanding the delays in diagnosing PF-ILD is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Timely diagnosis can lead to better management strategies, potentially enhancing survival and quality of life for affected individuals.