Lung transplantation for interstitial lung disease: evolution over three decades

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has emerged as the most common indication for lung transplantation globally. However, post-transplant survival varies depending on the underlying disease phenotype and comorbidities. This study aimed to describe the demographics, disease classification, outcomes and factors associated with post-transplant survival in a large single-centre cohort. METHODS: Data were retrospectively assessed for 284 recipients who underwent lung transplantation for ILD in our centre between 1987 and 2020. Patient characteristics and outcomes were stratified by three eras: 1987–2000, 2001–2010 and 2011–2020. RESULTS: Median patients’ age at time of transplantation was significantly higher in the most recent decade (56 (51–61) years, p<0.0001). Recipients aged over 50 years had worse overall survival compared with younger patients (adjusted HR, aHR 2.36, 95% CI 1.55 to 3.72, p=0.0001). Better survival was seen with bilateral versus single lung transplantation in patients younger than 50 years (log-rank p=0.0195). However, this survival benefit was no longer present in patients aged over 50 years. Reduced survival was observed in fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia compared with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which remained the most common indication throughout (aHR 2.61, 95% CI 1.40 to 4.60, p=0.0015). CONCLUSION: In patients transplanted for end-stage ILD, older age and fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia were associated with poorer post-transplant survival. The benefit of bilateral over single lung transplantation diminished with increasing age, suggesting that single lung transplantation might still be a feasible option in older candidates.