Prevalence and characterization of interstitial lung disease in a lung cancer screening program

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has been described as a frequent incidental radiological finding in subjects included in lung cancer (LC) screening programs. Patients with ILD have higher risk of developing LC, independent of exposure to tobacco or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). <b>Material and methods:</b> Prospective cross-sectional analysis of LC screening cohort from Fundación Jiménez Díaz. From 2014 to January 2019, 1098 subjects were included,976 had undergone a low-dose chest CT. Subjects included meet National Lung Screening Trial inclusion criteria and have COPD or emphysema. <b>Results:</b> The prevalence of ILD in our cohort is 2.45% (24). 91% of the cases have coexisting emphysema. General characteristics of the subjects are described in Table 1. Radiological characteristics are described in Table 2 20% of the patients were referred to ILD clinic, one received pirfenidone for usual interstitial pneumonia. 12.5% were diagnosed with cancer, 2 lung cancer. Four-year ILD related mortality was 4%. <b>Conclusions:</b> Diagnosis of ILD is an additional benefit to early detection of LC in high-risk smokers. Prevalence of lung cancer in this group is high.