The primary goal of treatment is to suppress the inflammatory response and reverse the deposition of granulation tissue. Patient Management Return to the table of contents. Identifying etiologic factors can lead to a surprisingly simple and effective management. In patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, removing the patient from the pertinent exposure may be all that is necessary for successful therapy. If the patient remains exposed, the disease will likely recur or persist, becoming chronic and progressive.
Tobacco smoking offers a similar illustration.
Respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung disease can improve or stabilize with smoking cessation. Likewise, drug-induced ILD may respond to stopping the medication and use of corticosteroid therapy. The goal, with the available therapies, is to begin treatment before end-stage fibrosis is present. Immunosuppressive drugs are used to control the inflammatory component of the disease, with corticosteroids being the standard choice. However, corticosteroid dosages are often high, and related side effects may require a decrease in dosage or termination of treatment, even if the patient has responded.