Incidence and recognition of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in developing countries

Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in developing countries is now diagnosed with an increased frequency. Increased awareness and more frequent availability of computed tomography and fiberoptic bronchoendoscopy have helped in making the diagnosis more often. The spectrum of diseases causing pulmonary fibrosis is broadly similar to that seen in the West. Connective tissue disorders such as systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis and sarcoidosis are more common causes. Idiopathic fibrosis is seen in approximately half the patients. Pneumoconiosis such as silicosis are also important. Diagnosis is often established on the basis of clinical features and radiologic findings alone. Transbronchial lung biopsy is used as a frequent method to make histologic diagnosis. Some of the causes described from India are rather rare. One of the interesting examples included a patient in whom pulmonary fibrosis was related to his ascent to very high altitude. Extreme cold, solar radiation, and other factors complicating low atmospheric oxygen pressure were implicated as causative factors. Lung fibrosis, secondary to exposure to toxic gas (methyl isocyanate), is reported in survivors of the Bhopal gas leakage tragedy of 1984. Serial bronchoalveolar studies have show elevated fibronectin levels and the presence of macrophage-neutrophilic exudate in the lavage fluid.