Title: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to improve symptom control and quality of life in patients with interstitial lung disease: a systematic review
Funder: Department of Health and Social Care

Abstract: Design: systematic review of interventions to improve symptom control and quality of life in patients with interstitial lung disease. Search strategy: A systematic search of electronic databases (e.g MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library) and other sources will be undertaken by an experienced information scientist, with databases being searched from the date of the searches from our previous systematic review in this area (September 2011) to the current date. There will be no language restrictions, translation permitting we will include all non-English studies. Review methods: The systematic review will be undertaken in accordance with standard guidance. The target population will be people with a confirmed diagnosis of an ILD. Studies will be included if they examine available interventions which aim to manage symptoms of ILDs, including oxygen therapy, opioids, corticosteroids, thalidomide and non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Any prospective study will be considered. All studies meeting the criteria will be tabulated according to intervention, study design, population, symptom and outcomes. Studies will then be summarised through a narrative review and where appropriate meta-analysis will be considered with causes of heterogeneity examined. Project timetable: 12 months. Dissemination: Findings from the study will be published through submission of papers to peer review journals and presentation at conferences. A workshop at the annual British Thoracic Society meeting wil be conducted to ensure maximum dissemination of our findings to ILD clinicians. In addition a policy brief will be produced which will summarise the main findings of the paper and its relevance to NHS policy. This will be disseminated to all important ILD groups including the British Lung Foundation, British Thoracic Society IPF clinical and research committee and NICE IPF guideline and quality standard group. Expertise in team: The multidisciplinary team includes expertise in evidence synthesis, management of ILD and a representative from a patient support group. SB is also part of the NICE IPF quality standard group and AUW and SB are part of the British Lung foundation clinical and research advisory groups. In addition an expert advisory group will be formed.

Lay abstract: Why we are doing this research Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are serious lung diseases that generally affect people over 60 years of age. The main symptom is shortness of breath, which can have a considerable impact on a patient s life. There are numerous types of ILD. Many types respond well to treatment, but others are progressive and lung damage is irreversible. For these people, effective therapies to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life (so called palliative therapies) are essential. Important advances have been made in the last 5 years in the development of palliative therapies for ILD, but recent work has shown that health professionals feel poorly equipped to manage the symptoms of these patients. Previous research summarising palliative therapies for ILD is out of date. We aim to bring together the most up-to-date evidence on treatments for symptom control in ILD by updating an existing systematic review previously undertaken by authors from this research team and adding important new information. What we would like to do We will search available scientific literature using electronic databases. Using agreed criteria we will select studies for inclusion. Any treatments that aim to manage symptoms or improve quality of life for people with ILD will be included. All studies will be assessed for quality using published tools. We will describe all results for each study and where possible undertaking analyses combining results together. Our team has vast experience of systematic reviewing, management of ILD and palliative care. What we aim to achieve through this work Our review will provide clinicians and patients with updated information about palliative therapies for ILD. Our results will be shared with clinicians (through publications and a workshop) to promote improved symptoms and quality of life for patients.

Research activity codes: 7.2 END OF LIFE CARE
Health categories: RESPIRATORY