Rheumatoid arthritis often brings unexpected complications, including interstitial lung disease (ILD), which can impact both lung function and overall health. In this episode of Spotlight on Pulmonary Fibrosis, Professor Tomcik, a leading rheumatologist from the Institute of Rheumatology in Prague, explores the vital link between rheumatoid arthritis and ILD. He discusses the key symptoms to monitor, risk factors, and what to consider before visiting a doctor. He also covers the screening process for ILD in rheumatoid arthritis and the multidisciplinary approach needed. 

Living with rheumatoid arthritis can pose additional challenges, including interstitial lung disease (ILD), a condition that can significantly impact lung function and quality of life. In this episode of Spotlight on Pulmonary Fibrosis, we welcome Professor Tomcik, a leading rheumatologist from the Institute of Rheumatology in Prague, and Ms Cechova, a patient advocate from the Revma Liga organization. Listen as they discuss key symptoms to look out for, tips to prepare for medical consultations, and the crucial role of support systems in managing this complex condition. 

While the focus is often on taking care of one’s physical well-being, the challenges of living with a chronic disease can take a tool on people’s emotional health. But it is important to know that you as a patient is not alone and that a variety of resources are available to help patient maintain a positive mindset.  In this episode of “Spotlight of Pulmonary Fibrosis”, we hear from Eszter Rozan a patient from Hungary and Dr. Bardia Monshi , a clinical psychiatrist from Austria. Listen to their discussion about the importance of finding the right support team and the role of psychological support in helping patients to deal with changes in their daily life and feelings of uncertainty. 

There are various actions patients with pulmonary fibrosis can take to manage their symptoms and help them live their life to the fullest. While pharmacological treatments are an important tool there are many things that patients can do to manage their health. In this episode of Spotlight on Pulmonary Fibrosis, we are joined by pulmonologist Dr. Ralf Harun Zwick from Austria, and Matea Perkovic, a patient advocate from Croatia. Listen as they discuss why it’s important to develop a holistic treatment plan that suits the need of the individual patient. They also talk about the role of pulmonary rehabilitation programmes in helping patients to manage their condition and improve their quality of life. 

Receiving a diagnosis is a key step on the patient journey, but what happens next? Based on the patient characteristics the physician will prescribe a pharmacological treatment, but it can be challenging to understand how it works and how it together with the disease itself might impact their lives. In this episode of “Spotlight of Pulmonary Fibrosis”, we hear from Gali Ruttner an IPF patient from Israel, and Prof. Yochai Adir a pulmonologist from Israel and the chair of the Israel society of pulmonology. They will talk about common questions that patients have about their treatments and what physicians should communicate to the patients to provide them with correct information and support throughout the different stages of the disease. 

There are many types of pulmonary fibrosis, including Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). However, the journey towards a diagnosis of IPF is not always straight forward and it can also be difficult to understand the diagnostic process.  In this episode of “Spotlight of Pulmonary Fibrosis”, we hear from Patient A.M.  an IPF patient from Bulgaria, Dr. Kathrin Hostettler, a pulmonologist from Switzerland, and Prof. Jens Bremerich radiologist from Switzerland

 Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD) are disorders that exhibit autoimmune-meditated damage to various organs, one type of CTD is Scleroderma, also known as Systemic Sclerosis. Pulmonary Fibrosis is a lung manifestation that can develop in patients with Scleroderma. In this episode of “Spotlight on Pulmonary Fibrosis in Connective tissue Disease” we will meet the scleroderma patient Michaela Linkova from Czech Republic as she talks about her journey towards diagnosis. We also hear from Dr. Katarzyna Pershina, a radiologist from Russia, and Prof. Czirják László István, a rheumatologist from Hungary, who discuss how to recognise the early signs and symptoms; and explain what are the tests and examinations that used to diagnose and monitor scleroderma in patients.

 Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD) are disorders that exhibit autoimmune-meditated damage to various organs, one type of CTD is Scleroderma, also known as Systemic Sclerosis. Pulmonary Fibrosis is a lung manifestation that can develop in patients with Scleroderma. In this episode of “Spotlight on Pulmonary Fibrosis in Connective tissue Disease” we will meet the scleroderma patient Michaela Linkova from Czech Republic as she talks about her journey towards diagnosis. We also hear from Dr. Katarzyna Pershina, a radiologist from Russia, and Prof. Czirják László István, a rheumatologist from Hungary, who discuss how to recognise the early signs and symptoms; and explain what are the tests and examinations that used to diagnose and monitor scleroderma in patients.

Over the past 2 years the COVID-19 pandemic has in many ways had a profound impact on our lives, and this is especially true for patients living with pre-existing lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. In this episode of Spotlight on Pulmonary Fibrosis, we hear from Dr. Veronika Müller, a pulmonologist from Hungary, and Olga Drapalova, a patient with myositis from Czech Republic, who talk about the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccinations and how it has affected those living with Pulmonary Fibrosis. They also discuss the lessons learnt from the pandemic, and how these experiences can be used in the future. 

A diagnosis is the first step on a patient’s journey. For those facing a future with Pulmonary Fibrosis, the first thing you need to do is find the right specialist that can offer tailored and personalised support, but this process can be both challenging and hard to navigate. In this episode of “Spotlight on Pulmonary Fibrosis,” we hear from Dr. Katarzyna Lewandowska a pulmonologist from Poland and Radostina Getova a patient advocate and a consultant to IPF patient organisations from Bulgaria. They discuss how to navigate through the process of finding the right specialist and getting access to the right treatment for patients with pulmonary fibrosis.