Prevalence of Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease (DPLD) and Associated Fibrosis in Northern Saudi Arabia

Background Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD) is a wide spread disorders including occupational or environmental exposure, therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of DPLD in Northern KSA. Methodology In this study clinical, imaging and laboratory parameters were obtained from 60 patients diagnosed with DPLD in the Pulmonary Medicine Department at King Khalid Hospital. Results Of the 60 patients, DPLD was Identified in 17/60 (28.3 %) patients of whom 16/17 (94 %) were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) with and 1/17 (6 %) with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA). Conclusion DPLP is prevalent in Northern KSA. Further investigation in regard to etiology are urgently required.