Toby M. Maher, MD, discusses health disparities faced by patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). One major challenge is the delayed diagnosis of ILD due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions like heart disease, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients with limited access to healthcare and those in discriminated groups face added difficulties in achieving a timely diagnosis. Dr Maher emphasizes the need to empower patients to push for appropriate diagnostic testing and ensure that all symptoms are explained by the diagnosis received.
Dr Maher then considers issues around treatment costs of antifibrotics or biologic therapies that create barriers to access, especially for disadvantaged groups, and urges ILD physicians to work toward reducing inequalities and ensuring that all patients have access to effective therapies.
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Cite this: Health Disparities in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease - Medscape - Apr 26, 2023.
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