6
Screening and Monitoring
Figure 1. Recommendations for ILD Screening and
Monitoring
Conditional recommendation
People with SARD of Interest
Increased
Risk for ILD?
*
ILD Diagnosed?
NO
NO
YES
YES
Pulmonary Function Testing
(spirometry, lung volumes and diffusion capacity)
and
High Resolution Computed Tomography (CT) chest
Note: Frequency of monitoring in italics are suggestions to assist application of the recommendations.
* See Table 2 for risk factors for interstitial lung disease.
†
Ambulatory desaturation can be done during a routine office visit or as part of 6-minute walk testing.
Test in the
presence of signs
or symptoms of
ILD
Screening
tests
Monitoring
tests
Test if signs or
symptoms of ILD
develop and consider
yearly re-screening in
high-risk patients
Pulmonary Function Testing
(spirometry, lung volumes and diffusion capacity)
IIM: every 3–6 months the 1
st
year,
then less frequently once stable
SSc: every 3–6 months the 1
st
year,
then less frequently once stable
RA/SjD/MCTD: every 3–12 months the 1
st
year,
then less frequently once stable
and
Ambulatory Desaturation Testing every
3–12 months
†
and
High Resolution CT Chest as needed
