Chart review (n=97) | Patient survey (n=70) | |
Age | 65.5±16 | 69.8±8.1 |
Sex, male (n, %) | 54 (56) | 35 (50) |
Diagnosis (n, %) | ||
IPF CTD-ILD HP Occupational Other | 34 (35) 21 (22) 10 (10) 3 (3) 14 (14) | 49 (70) 0 9 (13) 0 7 (10) |
Symptoms at disease onset (n, %) | ||
Dyspnoea Cough Fatigue Other *Asymptomatic | 74 (76) 61 (63) 24 (25) 0 10 (10) | 53 (76) 36 (51) 22 (31) 0 0 |
Patient survey responses | ||
Patient-provided reasons for delaying presentation to GP | Attributed symptoms to ageing (25%) Attributed symptoms to weight (21%) Not concerned (21%) Afraid of what doctor may diagnose (7%) Attributed symptoms to comorbidities (7%) | |
Patient-perceived challenges to timely ILD diagnosis | GP did not recognise problems early (51%) Misdiagnosed (20%) Long or delayed referral for specialist (36%) Delayed going to GP (16%) Concerns were not taken seriously (9%) Travel/access issues (6%) CT delays (6%) No delays (21%) |
CTD-ILD, connective tissues disease interstitial lung disease; GP, general practitioner; HP, hypersensitivity pneumonitis; IPF, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.