# Impact of Medical Comorbidities on Respiratory-Related Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease

## TL;DR

This study shows that medical comorbidities like diabetes and heart failure worsen quality of life and survival in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease.

## Contribution

The study is the first to report the specific impact of comorbidities on patient-reported outcomes in fibrotic interstitial lung disease.

## Key findings

- Common comorbidities like GERD and dyslipidemia were prevalent in patients with f-ILD.
- Comorbidities such as diabetes and pulmonary hypertension were linked to lower quality of life scores and higher mortality.
- More comorbidities were associated with worse patient-reported outcomes and survival.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Individual and increasing numbers of comorbidities have been associated with worse outcomes in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (f-ILD). The association and impact of medical comorbidities on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in f-ILD have yet to be reported. Methods: Analysis was conducted using data from a single-center prospective cohort involving 199 patients with f-ILD. All f-ILD diagnoses and severities were screened and enrolled over a three-year study period. Baseline demographics, pulmonary function test (PFT) measures, and survival status were collected. PROMs, including the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) and the Self-Management Ability Scale (SMAS-30), were assessed at baseline and serially. Thirteen medical comorbidities were evaluated for their prevalence and impact on PROMs and all-cause mortality. Results: Mean age was 69 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 61% vs. 39%. Dyslipidemia (74%) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (71%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. Hypertension, diabetes, GERD, pulmonary hypertension (PH), depression, congestive heart failure (CHF), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), were independently associated with lower PROM scores along with increasing numbers of concomitant comorbidities. Increasing numbers of comorbidities, as well as specifically diabetes, PH, hypertension, CHF, and OSA, were associated with greater all-cause mortality. Conclusions: Medical comorbidities may independently impact respiratory-related PROMs in patients with f-ILD. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive comorbidity management in improving quality of life and survival outcomes in patients with f-ILD.