Pharmacological Management of ILD: An overview of IPF, HP and Sarcoidosis (with emphasis on Respiratory)

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) represents an exciting and rapidly evolving field with a growing number of therapeutic options. The arrival of the novel antifibrotic drugs, Pirfenidone and Nintedanib has revolutionised the treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and provided hope for patients with this progressive scarring lung disease. Treatment approaches for other ILDs such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and Sarcoidosis are divergent and revolve around immunomodulation through the use of oral corticosteroids and steroid sparing agents. Differentiating between IPF and other ILDs such as HP and Sarcoidosis is crucial as there is now strong evidence that the use of immunosuppression is harmful to patients with IPF. 

In this Satellite session, the clinical features of these three distinct conditions will be described with practical tips on how to differentiate between them. The evidence base for treatment will be summarised and the majority of the session will be dedicated to practical aspects including how to monitor response to treatment, common side effects and management of drug toxicity. Finally, advice on how to develop local ILD services will be explored with a view to growing networks and improving outcomes for our patients.