Chennai: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) do not have a defined cure and ultimately lead to a reduction in quality of life and survival due to progressive scarring of lung tissue. Only palliative care for ILD patients by experts can help improve the lives of patients and their families. However, as per a recent report published in medical journal Lancet, palliative care expertise is inaccessible to many patients with ILD.
“Interstitial lung diseases are often caused by long-term exposure to hazardous materials, chronic diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and infections.
As damage to the lungs is irreparable in case of ILD, radical interventions in such cases can slow disease progression and improve quality of life. But, it is a sorry state that though a palliative policy was formulated, end-of-life care is not being provided in Tamil Nadu for most life-threatening diseases”, said Dr V Ranjit, pulmonologist, Government TB hospital.
The Lancet report highlights the needs of ILD patients that include effective pharmacological and psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life throughout the disease course, sensitive advanced care planning, and timely patient-centered end-of-life care, which are mostly unmet. With a large number of cases of ILD in the state, palliative measures to improve quality of life should be prioritised in Tamil Nadu also, which lacks a state palliative care policy. “A palliative policy was formulated around five years back, but no provisions to carry out end-of-life care services and train staff and doctors”, said a senior official of WHO Collaborating Centre, requesting anonymity.
Experts from pain and palliative care centers say that an efficient patient-centered model of palliative care must be validated in Tamil Nadu as is being practised in neighbouring Kerala.
Trained clinicians, specialist nurses, psychologists, social workers, and community-based organisations in palliative care can help render an improved quality of life for ILD patients, say experts.
