Development of a Knowledge-sharing Website for Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Exposures

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Environmental Health
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Accurate diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) relies on identifying inciting antigens.
• Current evidence for exposure assessment in HP is not readily accessible or easily utilized.
• This lack of accessible data hinders diagnostic confidence, management, and prognostication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a freely accessible, continuously updated online repository of contemporary exposures linked to HP.
• To consolidate and present information on HP-associated antigens and environmental factors.

Main Methods:

• Extensive electronic literature searches were conducted across major databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science) from 2002 to 2019.
• Articles detailing HP diagnoses and causative exposures in adults and children were included.
• A searchable website (HPLung.com) was developed using a structured query language database and WordPress.

Main Results:

• HPLung.com is a freely available online repository cataloging HP-associated exposures and antigens.
• The repository currently includes 85 unique exposures from 447 citations and is iteratively updated.
• Since its 2019 launch, HPLung.com has attracted over 4,500 visitors from 75 countries.

Conclusions:

• HPLung.com serves as a novel knowledge-sharing platform for hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
• It effectively addresses challenges in data accessibility, evidence synthesis, and exposure assessment for HP.
• The tool leverages technology to enhance the evaluation of potential HP triggers.