Interstitial Lung Disease

Center of Excellence in Interstitial Lung Disease

The UK Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic offers patients with advanced lung disease the expert care and multidisciplinary resources they need to receive a clear diagnosis, begin a treatment plan, and maximize their length and quality of life.  

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a collection of more than 200 rare lung diseases. Without treatment, these can be characterized by progressive lung tissue scarring. Patients may experience shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, and many other symptoms. Lung scarring isn’t reversible, but treatments that improve disease progression and quality of life are available. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to outcomes just as serious as the most severe disease, making it essential to tailor treatment to each patient’s specific condition.  Patients are welcome for second opinions, comprehensive ILD care, and collaborative care between their local center and the UK HealthCare subspecialty team.

 

Dedicated interstitial lung disease care

The UK Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic is a specialty program of UK Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. Our mission is to provide comprehensive, compassionate, and innovative care for patients with ILD by uniting expert clinicians, nurse navigators, research coordinators, and community partners. We are committed to advancing science through clinical trials and translational research, fostering resilience through support groups and outreach, and ensuring seamless coordination for advanced therapies, including transplant. Through this integrated approach, we strive to improve patients’ quality of life today while driving the discoveries of tomorrow.

Our clinicians treat all types of ILD, including:

  • Connective-tissue disease-related ILD, such as disease related to rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren syndrome, idiopathic inflammatory myositis and many others
  • ILD due to vasculitis, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)
  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  • Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
  • Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)
  • Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
  • Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
  • Pneumoconiosis, including asbestosis, berylliosis, coal mine dust lung disease, and asbestosis
  • Respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)
  • Drug-induced respiratory disease
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Rare syndromes, such as Hemansky-Pudlak syndrome, familial interstitial lung disease, and others

Located on the second floor of the Kentucky Clinic, the UK Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic was created in 2018 to better serve the population of Commonwealth of Kentucky and neighboring states.

To address our patients' needs, our pulmonologists take a multidisciplinary approach. We strive to foster a collaborative environment where pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists, rheumatologists, specialty pharmacists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and palliative care providers converge to deliver patient-centered, evidence-based care. Our clinic serves not only as a hub for clinical excellence but also as a catalyst for community engagement and education — empowering patients, caregivers, and stakeholders to shape the future of ILD care.

In 2019, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation designated UK HealthCare a member of its Care Center Network. This select group of prestigious programs meets the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation’s high standards by providing specialized care, access to clinical research, and support services that benefit pulmonary fibrosis patients.