Assessment of Neuropsychiatric Function in Patients With Interstitial Lung Disease

Research on the impact of lung diseases on neuropsychological functioning has revealed impaired cognitive processing in patients with a variety of pulmonary disorders. While the mechanisms responsible for the association of pulmonary diseases and neurocognitive functioning remain unclear, some researchers have attributed it to reduced oxygenation of the brain.

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) is an "umbrella" term as it comprises a variety of pulmonary diseases which affect the interstitium (the tissue and space around the air sacs of the lungs). It may be caused by a variety of factors (namely, inhaled substances, medications, infection, connective tissue disease, malignancy or idiopathic reasons) and has a clear negative impact on patients' quality of life, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, dyspnea and coughing. Physical sequelae include reduced lung volumes due to tissue thickening, sometimes caused by inflammation. A further consequence is reduced breathing efficiency, resulting in reduced blood oxygen levels and compromised exercise capacity.

Additionally, the fibrosis of the parenchyma impedes the level of gas exchange. A number of studies have reported mood effects in ILD, suggesting, however, that the diagnosis of depression may be obscured, due to the fatigue and apathy that is often a consequence of ILD.

Early detection and accurate management of Neuropsychiatric comorbidities have benefits in reducing ILD morbidity and mortality.

Inclusion criteria

• Interstitial lung disease patients diagnosed using high resolution computed tomography to confirm the diagnosis

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who refuse to participate in the study.
• Age less than 18,
• A history of neurological and/or developmental disorders and related drug treatment,
• A head injury with loss of consciousness,
• Active alcohol or drug abuse or a history of abuse prior to testing,
• A history of any psychiatric disorder or treatment, neurological disorders, psychological disorders, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, end-organ failure conditions