Approach to the Evaluation and Management of Interstitial Lung Abnormalities An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Statement

Abstract

Background: There is growing interest in identifying early stages of interstitial lung disease (ILD) to improve patient outcomes. This document reviews updated evidence on interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs); provides suggestions for screening, evaluation, and management; proposes criteria for distinguishing ILAs from ILD; and identifies research priorities. Methods: A committee of clinical and methodology experts met by video conference to define ILAs and ILD by consensus and voted on 11 prespecified questions after reviewing synthesized evidence from a systematic literature search. Agreement of >70% was required to approve each suggestion. Results: ILA is defined as nondependent bilateral parenchymal abnormalities on computed tomography, including ground-glass opacities or reticulations, lung distortion, traction bronchiectasis, and/or honeycombing involving >5% of a lung zone. The updated definition removes the prior exclusion of high-risk populations. ILD is distinguished from ILAs by symptoms (dyspnea/cough) attributable to an interstitial process, abnormal or declining lung function, fibrotic (honeycombing and/or reticulation with traction bronchiectasis involving >5% of total lung volume) or progressive imaging abnormalities, and/or specific fibrotic ILD patterns on imaging or pathology. Suggestions include ILA/ILD assessment on imaging acquired for lung cancer screening, screening adults with connective tissue disease and first-degree relatives of patients with familial pulmonary fibrosis, assessing baseline symptoms and pulmonary function among those with ILAs, and monitoring ILAs with chest computed tomography every 2-3 years. Conclusions: This document presents a comprehensive literature review of ILAs with updates to the Fleischner Society ILA definition, establishes a working ILD definition, and provides evidence-based suggestions for ILA evaluation and management.