Diagnostic delay and misdiagnosis in interstitial lung disease: Experience of a tertiary care hospital of Punjab, Pakistan

Muhammad Waseem; Aun Bin Shahid; Shahid Pervaiz; Javeria Waseem

Abstract
Objective: To determine the average diagnostic delays in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients coming to DHQTH, Sahiwal.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Pulmonology Department, DHQTH, Sahiwal from 1st Nov 2019 to 1st May 2020. ILD patients selected on clinical and radiological features were interviewed. Average time of delay in diagnosis was determined. The data were analyzed by SPSS 24.
Results: Out of 70 participants, 54(77.1%) were females. Average time of delay in diagnosis was of 18.43±11.232 months (range 2-36 months). Delay was more in males (21.50±13.12) and in participants belonging to age group 50-65 years (22.50±11.57). Illiterates and those belonging to rural areas were found to have more delay with values of 22.64±10.66 and 19.21±11.34 months, respectively.
Conclusion: Most of the ILD patients are diagnosed after a significant delay. ILDs pose great diagnostic difficulty at the level of primary and secondary care. Most patients have to reach a tertiary care facility in order to be diagnosed correctly.

Key words: Delayed diagnosis, interstitial lung disease, ILD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

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