Psychological Distress and Quality of Life in Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Real-World Observational Study

Fibrotic interstitial lung diseases are chronic, often progressive conditions that have a substantial impact on patients' quality of life. We conducted a prospective observational cross-sectional study including 44 outpatients with fibrotic interstitial lung diseases, assessing anxiety, depression, symptom burden, and quality of life using validated patient-reported outcome measures. Clinically significant anxiety and depression were present in 34.1% and 43.2% of patients, respectively. Psychological distress was associated with greater dyspnea severity and poorer self-perceived health status, although not with lung function parameters. These findings highlight the high prevalence and likely under-recognition of psychological distress in these patients, and support the routine integration of systematic mental health assessment into fibrotic interstitial lung diseases care pathways.