Over 140 healthcare professionals from the Middle East and Africa gathered for the third edition of the Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Summit to discuss the latest developments in the treatment and management of respiratory conditions. 

 

Accredited by the American Association of Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the British Academy of Continuous Medical Education (BACME), the summit was hosted by Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical firms, on November 25 and 26 in Dubai, UAE.

 

Mohammed Al-Tawil, Regional Managing Director and Head of Human Pharma at Boehringer Ingelheim for India, the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (IMETA) region, said: “At Boehringer Ingelheim, we understand the significance of real-world evidence. It is vital for us to hear from the medical community and to learn from their experiences and insights, as this is what brings us closer to the real challenges faced by the patients. By gaining a deeper understanding of their needs, we can better tailor our innovative medical solutions to serve them.”

 

Unique platform

“As with the previous editions, our aim with the summit is to offer a unique platform for educational exchange – one deeply rooted in science and expertise. Ultimately, this summit underscores our unwavering dedication to making a meaningful impact on the lives of patients in the region,” he added.

 

ILDs are a group of diseases that over time cause a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs, known as pulmonary fibrosis, making it difficult to breathe and in turn reducing the amount of oxygen that gets into the bloodstream. 

 

People living with these conditions typically experience deteriorating lung function, resulting in a reduction in their quality of life. While there is no cure for ILD, antifibrotics can help slow the progression of lung damage and make a difference – but early diagnosis is critical. If left untreated, the condition can lead to life-threatening complications, including high blood pressure and heart or respiratory failure.

 

Dr Saniya Khan, Consultant Pulmonary & Critical Care, Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, said: “In the world of healthcare, new research and findings continually reshape our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. It is crucial for experts to convene at forums like this summit, where we can exchange our experience and insights. Given their intricate nature, diagnosing ILDs often calls for a multidisciplinary approach, which we prioritise at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Through collaborative care and a unified approach to ILDs, we can offer our patients a brighter outlook. Events such as the ILD Summit serve as an excellent knowledge-sharing platform, facilitating fruitful conversations over recent advances in ILD management and ultimately translating into improved patient lives.”

 

In-depth discussions

During the summit, attendees were able to be a part of in-depth discussions on the diagnosis, management and treatment of ILDs such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease (PF-ILD) and Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD). 

 

Meanwhile, workshops were offered on topics including High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) readings and challenges in diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis in ILDs such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), Progressive Fibrosis (PF), and Systemic Sclerosis (Ssc-ILD). Experts further presented real-life case studies to highlight best practices, while discussing how ILD could co-occur with other chronic conditions, requiring a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. 

 

“What is particularly noteworthy is understanding the other medical conditions that could elevate the risk of ILDs,” said Prof Waleed Abdurrab Hafiz, MD and Assistant Professor of Medicine at College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA. 

 

“For instance, ILD is a frequently observed complication in systemic sclerosis and is diagnosed in 40% to 75% of SSc patients.  The driving force here is the promotion of a multidisciplinary approach, and by having peers across the region come together during the ILD Summit helps us collaborate to streamline referrals, reduce diagnostic timelines, and, most significantly, fast-track the commencement of the patient’s treatment journey Ultimately, our collective mission is to establish the gold standard of care for our patients, where their well-being takes center stage.”

 

Boehringer Ingelheim has been actively involved in research and development efforts related to ILD to improve the lives of patients affected by the condition.--TradeArabia News Service