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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that may make you more susceptible to interstitial lung disease include:
- Age. Interstitial lung disease is much more likely to affect adults, although infants and children sometimes develop the disorder. Idiopathic forms of the disease usually develop in adults older than 50.
- Exposure to occupational and environmental toxins. If you work in mining, farming or construction or for any reason are exposed to pollutants known to damage your lungs, your risk of interstitial lung disease greatly increases.
- Radiation and chemotherapy. Having radiation treatments to your chest or using some chemotherapy drugs makes it more likely that you'll develop lung disease.
- Oxygen. Continually inhaling very high levels of therapeutic oxygen for more than 48 hours can harm the lungs.
Risk factors for idiopathic interstitial lung disease
Researchers have identified certain factors that appear to increase the risk of idiopathic lung disease, even though the cause of the disorder isn't yet known:
- Smoking. Some forms of interstitial lung disease are more likely to occur in people with a history of smoking, and active smoking may make the condition worse. The risk seems to increase with the number of years and the number of cigarettes smoked. However, with rare exceptions, smoking does not directly cause interstitial lung disease.
- Genetic factors. One rare type of idiopathic interstitial lung disease runs in families. Called familial pulmonary fibrosis, it's similar to other forms of the disease. Although research is being done on familial pulmonary fibrosis, researchers haven't yet identified the genes that may be involved.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Researchers are investigating a possible link between idiopathic interstitial lung disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In GERD, stomach acid or, occasionally, bile salts back up into your esophagus and are then drawn into your lungs (aspirated) in droplets.
References
- King TE, et al. Approach to diagnosis and management of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: W.B. Saunders; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/138709448-3/0/1288/473.html?tocnode=51472932&fromURL=473.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-0327-0..50056-2_2996. Accessed May 20, 2009.
- Raghu G. Interstitial lung disease. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/138709448-4/843693028/1492/374.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50097-5--cesec72_3869. Accessed May 20, 2009.
- King TE. Approach to the adult with interstitial lung disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 20, 2009.
- Interstitial lung diseases. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec05/ch055/ch055a.html. Accessed May 20, 2009.
- Aggarwal N, et al. Interstitial lung disease. In: Nilsson K, et al. The Osler Medical Handbook. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/142440259-3/850406526/1387/103.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-03748-8..50092-0_1514. Accessed May 20, 2009.
- Possible side effects of radiation therapy. American Cancer Society. Accessed May 20, 2009.
- King TE. Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 20, 2009.
- Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 31, 2009.
