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Clinical impact of the interstitial lung disease multidisciplinary service
Author(s) -
Jo Helen E.,
Glaspole Ian N.,
Levin Kovi C.,
McCormack Samuel R.,
Mahar Annabelle M.,
Cooper Wendy A.,
Cameron Rhoda,
Ellis Samantha J.,
Cottee Alice M.,
Webster Susanne E.,
Troy Lauren K.,
Torzillo Paul J.,
Corte Peter,
Symons Karen M.,
Taylor Nicole,
Corte Tamera J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/resp.12850
Subject(s) - medicine , interstitial lung disease , idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis , referral , medical diagnosis , intensive care medicine , gold standard (test) , lung , radiology , family medicine
ABSTRACT Background and objective Multidisciplinary discussions ( MDDs ) have been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy in interstitial lung disease ( ILD ) diagnosis. However, their clinical impact on patient care has never been clearly demonstrated. We describe the effect that an ILD multidisciplinary service has upon the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected ILD . Methods Patients at two specialized centres with suspected ILD underwent ILD multidisciplinary team review ( ILD‐MDT ) (standard ILD clinic visit and diagnostic review at ILD‐MDD ). We compared changes in ILD diagnosis and management at referral to those following the ILD‐MDT . Results Ninety patients, 60% males (54/90), aged 67.3 years ( SD = 11.4) were reviewed for suspected ILD . Overall, the ILD‐MDT resulted in a change in specific ILD diagnosis in 48/90 (53%) patients. Of the 27 patients referred with a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ( IPF ), the diagnosis was changed at MDD in 10 patients. In contrast, seven patients had their diagnosis changed to IPF . There was also a significant reduction in ‘unclassifiable’ diseases and disease behaviour classifications provided additional information beyond ILD diagnosis. Conclusion Dedicated tertiary ILD‐MDT service has an important clinical impact on the care of the ILD patient, with frequent changes in ILD diagnosis and subsequent management. Further research to investigate long‐term clinical outcomes of ILD‐MDT is required.