Clinical Challenges and Future Directions of Interstitial Lung Disease
A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Respiratory Medicine".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 March 2026 | Viewed by 26
Special Issue Editor
Interests: lung pathology; pulmonary pathology; interstitial pneumonia; tuberculosis; interstitial lung disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) represent a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis in the lung parenchyma. Despite advancements in our understanding, several key clinical challenges remain. Early and accurate diagnosis is often difficult due to non-specific symptoms and overlapping radiologic and histopathologic features. In this context, multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) involving pulmonologists, radiologists, and pathologists plays a pivotal role in achieving diagnostic consensus. Optimizing treatment strategies—particularly for progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF)—continues to be a major challenge. Furthermore, non-pharmacological interventions such as pulmonary rehabilitation and long-term oxygen therapy are recognized as vital components of care, yet their implementation and standardization are inconsistent across clinical settings. Additionally, end-of-life care and the timely integration of palliative approaches are essential but often underutilized aspects of ILD management.
This Special Issue welcomes original research and review articles that provide solid evidence on the diagnosis, treatment, and patient-centered management of ILDs. Submissions focusing on efforts to promote early detection, improve diagnostic processes, refine therapeutic decision making, and enhance supportive and palliative care are particularly encouraged. Through this Special Issue, we aim to contribute to more effective and compassionate care for patients with ILDs.
Dr. Yoshiaki Zaizen
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- interstitial lung disease
- progressive pulmonary fibrosis
- early detection
- clinical diagnosis
- multidisciplinary discussion
- treatment
- non-pharmacological therapy
- end-of-life care
- patient-centered management
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