Background. The prevalence and spectrum of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) varies from region to region depending upon genetic and environmental factors. Methods. This was a descriptive observational study of 262 consecutive ILD patients diagnosed in the Pulmonary Medicine Department over a period of four years. Results. The mean age of the patient was 52.7±14.9 years; there were 120 males. All types of ILDs were more common in women except idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) which was found

more »

... redominantly (90.6%) in male patients. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) showed definite usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), possible UIP and inconsistent with UIP patterns in 50.4%, 9.5% and 40.1%, respectively. IPF was the most commonly found ILD (24.1%) followed by connective tissue disease related ILD (CTD-ILD) (22.1%), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (17.2%), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HSP) (15.6%), sarcoidosis (7.6%), combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) (4.6%), cryptogenic organising pneumonia (4.2%), and occupational lung disease (2.7%), respectively. Bronchoscopic procedures were performed in 66 (25.2%) of patients which were diagnostic in 27 (44.9%); overall pathological diagnosis was possible in 10.2%. Univariate analysis showed smoking and hypothyroidism as statistically significant risk factors associated with IPF. Conclusions. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was found as most common ILD; UIP pattern was seen in IPF, CTD-ILDs, chronic HSP and fibrotic NSIP.