Dual Impacts of Lung Transplantation on the Recovery and Comorbidity of Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Longitudinal Assessment of the Benefits and Burden

Abstract

Background: Lung transplantation (LTx) is a life-saving intervention for patients with advanced interstitial lung disease (ILD), markedly improving pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and right heart function, yet it is often accompanied by increased risks of metabolic, cardiovascular, and renal complications. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal analysis of 102 ILD patients post-LTx, integrating pulmonary, cardiovascular, metabolic, and functional parameters. Recovery was assessed using lung function parameters (FVC, DLCO, TLC, ITGV, and FEV1), 6MWD, Borg scores, sPAP, TAPSE, BMI, and weight, while the comorbidity burden was monitored via the Comorbidity–Polypharmacy Score (CPS). Results: Patients showed marked post-LTx improvements, with FVC and DLCO increasing by +37.99% and +42.90%, 6MWD by +166.5 m, and dyspnea decreasing by −3.25 points (Borg scale). Right heart function improved (sPAP −23.79 mmHg and TAPSE increased). Despite these gains, renal function (eGFR −14.14 mL/min/1.73 m2/year) and platelet counts (−17.79 × 109/L/year) declined, while the CPS nearly doubled (16 to 30), reflecting rising comorbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, reflux, and malignancies. Conclusions: While LTx significantly enhances pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and hemodynamics in ILD patients, it also triggers complex systemic adaptations and a rising comorbidity burden, underscoring the need for dynamic risk stratification and integrated care to balance the benefits and burden over time.