What are the recommended follow-up protocols for patients with stable interstitial lung disease?

For patients with stable interstitial lung disease (ILD), particularly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the recommended follow-up protocol involves initially scheduling follow-up appointments every 6 months. If the disease remains stable after 1 year, the interval between follow-ups can be extended to annually. During these follow-ups, assessments should include lung function tests, evaluation for oxygen therapy needs, and consideration for pulmonary rehabilitation. Additionally, smoking cessation advice should be offered, and comorbidities should be managed according to best practice. Psychosocial needs and palliative care referrals should also be considered as appropriate. If there is any sign of disease progression or rapid deterioration, follow-up frequency should be increased accordingly, potentially to every 3 months or sooner. Multidisciplinary team involvement, including respiratory physicians and ILD specialist nurses, is important for ongoing management and support. These recommendations are based primarily on NICE guidance for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which is the most detailed ILD subtype guideline available in the UK context.