Characteristics of interstitial lung disease in the state of Qatar: A nine-year experience from a multi-center cohort

Abstract

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of over 200 disorders affecting the lung parenchyma. Despite their clinical significance, global epidemiological data-particularly from the Middle East-remain limited. We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients aged >14 years enrolled in a multi-center ILD cohort in Qatar between January 2015 and December 2023. We analyzed clinical, radiological, and functional characteristics and determined the proportions of ILD subtypes. A total of 548 patients were included, with near-equal gender distribution (50.2 % females, 49.8 % males) and a mean age of 56 years (SD: 14.7). The most common ILD subtypes were sarcoidosis (28.3 %), connective tissue disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD, 21.9 %), usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP, 14.6 %), and Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP, 9.1 %). Most patients were non-smokers (72.4 %). Common comorbidities included gastroesophageal reflux disease (21.9 %), Asthma (13.0 %), and COPD (6.4 %). Systemic corticosteroids were used in 63.9 % of cases. Pulmonary function testing revealed moderate impairment, with a mean FVC % predicted of 66.8 % (SD: 21.5), DLCO % predicted of 57.9 % (SD: 23.1), and a mean 6-minute walk test distance of 353.1 meters (SD: 94.7). Lung biopsies were obtained in 40.1 % of patients. Sarcoidosis and UIP were more prevalent among males, while CTD-ILD was more common in females (p < 0.0001). Current and former smokers more frequently exhibited IP and CPFE, whereas never-smokers predominantly showed CTD-ILD, HP, and sarcoidosis (p = 0.0102). This study provides the first comprehensive overview of ILD subtypes and clinical characteristics in Qatar. Sarcoidosis and CTD-ILD were the most common forms, with clear demographic and smoking-related associations.

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