Contemporary challenges for specialist nursing in interstitial lung disease

A scoping review of the unmet needs of patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

AIMS

Patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have a high symptom burden and numerous needs that remain largely unaddressed despite advances in available treatment options. There is a need to comprehensively identify patients' needs and create opportunities to address them. This scoping review aimed to synthesise the available evidence and identify gaps in the literature regarding the unmet needs of patients diagnosed with IPF.

METHODS

The protocol for the review was registered with Open Science Framework (DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/SY4KM). A systematic search was performed in March 2022, in CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, Web of Science Core Collection and ASSIA Applied Social Science Index. A comprehensive review of grey literature was also completed. Inclusion criteria included patients diagnosed with IPF and date range 2011-2022. A range of review types were included. Data was extracted using a data extraction form. Data was analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis. A total of 884 citations were reviewed. Ethical approval was not required.

RESULTS

52 citations were selected for final inclusion. Five themes were identified: 1.) psychological impact of an IPF diagnosis. 2.) adequate information and education: at the right time and in the right way. 3.) high symptom burden support needs. 4.) referral to palliative care and advance care planning (ACP). 5.) health service provision-a systems approach.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the myriad of needs patients with IPF have and highlights the urgent need for a systems approach to care, underpinned by an appropriately resourced multi-disciplinary team. The range of needs experienced by patients with IPF are broad and varied and require a holistic approach to care including targeted research, coupled with the continuing development of patient-focused services and establishment of clinical care programmes.

Holistic management of patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis

Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a complex interstitial lung disease that impacts substantially on patients' daily lives, requiring personalised and integrated care. We summarise the main needs of patients with PF and their caregivers, and suggest a supportive care approach. Individualised care, education, emotional and psychological support, specialised treatments, and better access to information and resources are necessary. Management should start at diagnosis, be tailored to the patient's needs, and consider end-of-life care. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions should be individualised, including oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation, with digital healthcare utilised as appropriate. Further research is needed to address technical issues related to oxygen delivery and digital healthcare.

Educational aims

To identify the main needs of patients with PF and their caregivers.To describe the components of a comprehensive approach to a supportive care programme for patients with PF.To identify further areas of research to address technical issues related to the management of patients with PF.

Openreuma Consensus on the role of nursing in the care of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and diffuse interstitial lung disease

OBJECTIVES

To develop practical recommendations, based on the best available evidence and experience, on the nursing management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

METHODS

The usual consensus methodology was used, with a nominal group, systematic reviews (SRs), and Delphi survey. The expert panel, consisting of rheumatology nurses, rheumatologists, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, and a patient, defined the scope, the users, the topics on which to explore the evidence and on which to issue recommendations.

RESULTS

Three PICO questions evaluated the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation and non-pharmacological measures for the treatment of chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux by means of SR of the literature. With the results of the reviews, 15 recommendations were established for which the degree of agreement was obtained with a Delphi survey. Three recommendations were rejected in the second round. The 12 recommendations were in patient assessment (n=4); patient education (n=4); and risk management (n=4). Only one recommendation was based on available evidence, while the remaining were based on expert opinion. The degree of agreement ranged from 77% to 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

This document presents a series of recommendations with the aim of improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients with RA-ILD. Nursing knowledge and implementation of these recommendations can improve the follow-up and prognosis of patients with RA who present with ILD.

IPAF should receive early treatment for sharing similar clinical characteristics as CTD-ILD: a report from 273 Chinese patients

OBJECTIVES

The clinical characteristics of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) and connective tissue disease interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) have not been adequately compared. We compared the clinical characteristics of these two conditions and analyzed the changes in lung function before and after treatment of IPAF.

METHODS

A total of 412 patients were enrolled in the study, and their clinical characteristics were assessed. The treatment-related changes in 12 cases of IPAF were analyzed.

RESULTS

Complete clinical data were available for 126 patients with CTD-ILD and 147 with IPAF. All IPAF patients showed autoantibody positivity. The proportion of patients showing extrapulmonary symptoms in the CTD-ILD group was higher than that in the IPAF group (P < 0.05). Patients with IPAF demonstrated lower P(A-a)O₂ and higher PaO₂ and PaCO₂ than those with CTD-ILD (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (D_LCO) in IPAF patients were higher than those in CTD-ILD patients (P = 0.023 for FVC; P = 0.011 for D_LCO). Among patients with IPAF, only the proportions of honeycombing and nodules were lower than those in CTD-ILD patients (P < 0.05). Both FVC and D_LCO values increased after treatment in patients with IPAF (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

IPAF showed autoantibody positivity and similar computed tomography (CT) findings as CTD-ILD, and lung function in patients with IPAF improved after immunosuppressive treatment, indicating that IPAF should receive attention and early immunosuppressive treatment like CTD-ILD, even though IPAF exhibits no extrapulmonary symptoms. Key Points • Clinical characteristics of IPAF.

Nonpharmacological therapies for interstitial lung disease

A PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) cause unpredictable degrees of fibrosis and inflammation in the lungs leading to functional decline and varying symptom burden for patients. Some patients may live for years and be responsive to therapy and others disease trajectory may be shorter and similar to patients with lung cancer. This ultimately affects the patient's quality of life as well as their caregiver(s).

B RECENT FINDINGS

Nonpharmacological therapies play an important role in treatment of interstitial lung disease. These include symptom management, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and palliative care. While ILDs are associated with high morbidity and mortality, different models of care exist globally. New tools help clinicians identify and address palliative care needs in daily practice and specialty nurses and ILD centers can optimize care.

C SUMMARY

This paper provides an overview of nonpharmacological therapies available for patients with interstitial lung disease.