FIBRotic Interstitial Lung Disease With Nocturnal hypOXaemia and EXercise Induced desaTuRAtion

This work will build upon the FIBRINOX study, previous clinical research conducted by the Guy's and St Thomas' ILD research team. The FIBRINOX study showed that patients with fILD and normal oxygen saturations at rest, but who desaturate whilst asleep or during exercise, have a significantly increased mortality and greater reduction in quality of life compared to patients who do not desaturate at night or during exercise. The reasons for these differences in mortality and health related quality of life are not known. Data suggests that worsening fILD and the development of pulmonary hypertension, a condition characterised by increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries that is associated with poorer outcomes, may be playing a role. This clinical research study will recruit approximately 160 patients with a tertiary ILD centre diagnosis of fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD). Data from routinely performed investigations as part of tertiary ILD assessment will be systematically recorded. Investigations will include lung function tests, echocardiography, blood tests, a 6-minute walk test and overnight oximetry. Participants will also complete several quality-of-life questionnaires. These investigations will be performed at baseline, and again at 12 months, with all tests also repeated at 6 months except for an echocardiogram. After the initial 1 year study period, a 3 year post-recruitment mortality and right heart catheter check will be performed using the participants' medical records. Data will be collected from CT scans and right heart catheters if performed during the study period as part of the participants usual clinical care. This study is designed to establish whether patients with fILD who desaturate during sleep or exercise are more likely to experience functional decline, as well as confirm previous findings of increased mortality and worsening quality of life as demonstrated in the FIBRINOX study. The data generated by this observational study will help generate future hypotheses, research questions and clinical study.