How COVID-19 interacts with interstitial lung disease

The global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has had far-reaching impacts on patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), from diagnosis to management. In addition, after infection, persistent parenchymal change is associated with ongoing symptoms and functional impairment even in patients without pre-existing lung disease. The challenge of investigating and treating these patients has often fallen to ILD physicians. This review therefore seeks to explore the relationship between COVID-19 and the interstitium, as well as the model of care for patients with pre-existing ILD and those patients with persistent disease following recovery from their initial infection. EDUCATIONAL AIMS: To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with existing interstitial lung disease. To explore the development of interstitial lung disease after COVID-19 infection.