Classification of Interstitial Lung Disease

Idiopathic causes

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)
Sarcoidosis

Connective tissue and autoimmune disease

Systemic sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosis
Scleroderma
Polymyositis
Dermatomyositis

Occupational and environmental

Organic and inorganic dust
Gases and fumes
Radiation
Asbestos - (exposure often many years before)
Allergens – in Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP; also called Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis, EAA) that may be seen with bird keepers and farmers. In some cases, a patient may have HP/ EAA, but the allergen is not known or identified.

Drug induced

Antiarrhythmics - in particular Amiodarone
Antibiotics – in particular Nitrofurantoin
Anticonvulsants
Chemotherapy
Methotrexate
Radiation therapy

Infections

Viral or bacterial

Genetic

Familial pulmonary fibrosis –(rarely)