Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of lung disorders characterized by fibrosis (i.e. scaring) and in¿ammation of the lungs that currently affects approximately 1 in every 1000 Canadians. For patients with ILD, dyspnoea (i.e. breathlessness) is the most common symptom. Dyspnoea leads ILD patients to avoid physical activity, which causes a loss of conditioning, and can eventually lead to the inability to perform activities of daily living. Sadly, treatment options for relieving dyspnoea and making exercise tolerance better in ILD patients are limited. Some suggest that muscle dysfunction, which is thought to be common in ILD patients, may impact dyspnoea and the ability to exercise. However, very few studies have looked at muscle dysfunction in patients with ILD. The aim of my proposed work is to describe muscle structure and function in patients with ILD. I will also determine the influence of muscle dysfunction on dyspnoea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance. I will accomplish this aim by conducting four studies: Study 1: I will characterize the structure of skeletal muscle in ILD patients and its link with death, dyspnoea, and exercise capacity. Study 2: I will examine differences in the structure and function of the leg muscles in ILD patients compared to healthy people. I will also assess the role of leg and breathing muscle fatigue as a source of dyspnoea and exercise limitation in patients with ILD compared to healthy people. Study 3: I will determine the effects of breathing extra oxygen on leg and breathing muscle fatigue, as well as ability to exercise in ILD patients. Significance: Understanding the causes of dyspnoea and exercise intolerance in ILD is needed in order to develop treatments that could improve the health of Canadians suffering from this disease. The results of this work will provide important information that could be used to develop novel therapies aimed at reducing dyspnea and improving exercise tolerance for patients with ILD.