Frailty in patients with interstitial lung disease

Purpose of review The incidence of age-related diseases such as interstitial lung disease (ILD) is rising, and the importance of multimorbidity and accumulation of health deficits in patients with chronic lung diseases is increasingly recognized. There are multiple relationships between aging and ILD on a demographic and a biological level. Frailty conceptualizes the decline of a patient's physiological reserves and complements the chronological and biological aspects of aging. Recent findings Frailty affects more than 50% of patients with ILD, with respiratory impairment, accelerated biological aging, comorbidities, medication adverse effects, and social factors collectively playing important roles. Frailty is an independent risk factor for adverse health outcomes such as hospitalizations and early mortality, including before and after lung transplant. Given the multicomponent determinants of frailty, programs such as pulmonary rehabilitation are promising strategies for managing this complex issue. Summary Frailty is a common risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with ILD. The multiple pathways leading to frailty are not completely understood, and further studies are needed to determine the optimal tools for assessment and to develop strategies to prevent and counteract frailty in the aging ILD population.
Source: Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine - Category: Respiratory Medicine Tags: INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE: Edited by Bruno Crestani and Martin R.J. Kolb Source Type: research