No precise data are available on the total cost of ILDs.
Individual cost
Inevitably, the individual costs are high for these chronic diseases as most patients have to give up work, some need chronic home oxygen therapy and some undergo lung transplantation.
Most patients with active ILD are unable to work because of shortness of breath on exertion.
Healthcare burden
ILDs are an increasing burden on healthcare resources and many remain in the category of “orphan diseases” (a disease affecting less than one in 2,000 people worldwide) for which very little funding is available.