Hope for the future of interstitial lung disease (ILD) care
We have talked to Karen Moor, pulmonologist in training and post-doctoral researcher in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), about her career journey, her advice for aspiring pulmonologists and her positive outlook on the future of ILD care.
![Karen Moor Picture of Karen Moor](/sites/default/files/2023-08/Karen%20Moor%20.png)
What is interstitial lung disease?
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an umbrella term for a group of more than 200 lung disorders characterized by inflammation and/or scarring of the interstitium of the lungs, which is the network of tissue that supports the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs1. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis (PF). In someone with pulmonary fibrosis, the lungs become scarred, thickened and stiff, losing their ability to take in and transfer oxygen to the bloodstream2. This results in breathlessness and difficulty breathing.
A proportion of people living with ILDs develop progressive pulmonary fibrosis, meaning symptoms worsen over time. This includes a decline in lung function, worsening of respiratory symptoms and deterioration in health-related quality of life3.
Early diagnosis is key to improving patient outcomes, and partnering with pulmonologists to improve awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals is imperative to reach this goal.
The importance of innovation in interstitial lung disease
![Quote by Karen Moor about working in ILD](/sites/default/files/2023-08/Quote%20Karen%20Moor_0.png)
Karen Moor, pulmonologist in training and post-doctoral researcher in ILDs, shares her journey into the field, reflecting on her early career and experiences learning about ILDs. In this video she provides advice for aspiring pulmonologists and non-ILD experts and explains the importance of dedicated training on the condition.
______________
1Asthma and Lung UK. What is pulmonary fibrosis? Available here. Last accessed: August 2023.
2Martinez FJ, Collard HR, Pardo A, et al. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17074.
3Boehringer One/ ILD & Pulmonary Fibrosis. Available here. Last accessed: August 2023.
Links
![Your emotional wellbeing is just as important.](/sites/default/files/2021-12/Screenshot%202021-12-01%20at%2022.26.23.png)
Life with Pulmonary Fibrosis
![Life with IPF](/sites/default/files/2021-12/Screenshot%202021-12-01%20at%2022.22.37.png)
Pulmonary Fibrosis 360
Related Content
![Fibroneer Ph3 Trials Fibroneer Illustration](/sites/default/files/2023-04/FIBRONEER%20thumbnail.png)
Addressing the urgent need for new treatments for people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs)
![Lung](/sites/default/files/2021-12/journeys_trough_pulmonary_fibrosis_podcast.jpg)
Podcast: Journeys through pulmonary fibrosis
![Coral in the shape of lungs underwater with slight bleaching. Pink coral in the shape of lungs with slight white bleaching around edges representing scarring of lungs in pulmonary fibrosis.](/sites/default/files/2022-09/Coral_Reef_SF_v10c_16-9_MYBI.jpg)