Predictors of Mortality Among Patients Hospitalised with Acute Exacerbation of Interstitial Lung Disease: A Prospective Observational Study

Background:Acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease (AE-ILD) is associated with substantial mortality. This study evaluated clinical, laboratory, and radiological predictors of in-hospital mortality.Methods:A prospective observational study involving 150 AE-ILD hospitalisations was analysed. Admission characteristics were compared between survivors and non-survivors.Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate mortality associations.Results: Inhospital mortality was 36.0% (54/150). Previous home oxygen therapy (OR=3.45; p=0.002), HRCT abnormalities involving >50% of the lungs (OR=3.18; p=0.004), diffuse HRCT abnormalities (OR=3.33; p<0.001), reduced PaO₂/FiO₂ (OR=1.21 per 50-mmHg decrease; p=0.038), and lower serum albumin (OR=1.46 per 0.5-g/dL decrease; p=0.046) were associated with mortality in univariable analyses. None of the three variables in the adjusted model remained statistically significant. The model demonstrated modest discrimination (AUROC=0.670).Conclusion: Respiratory impairment, extensive radiological abnormalities, and baseline disease severity were associated with in-hospital mortality, although independent prediction remained limited.