LUNG - European Reference Network for Rare Lung Diseases

The ERN LUNG is composed of nine main networks representing different rare lung diseases (interstitial diseases, cystic fibrosis, non-cystic bronchiectasis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, primary ciliary dyskinesia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, mesothelioma , chronic dysfunction of the transplanted lung and other rare lung diseases). Among these, the Padua Hospital has obtained recognition for the network dedicated to Interstitial Diseases (ERN LUNG ILD - Interstitial Lung Disease).
These diseases require, for their management, a multidisciplinary team of dedicated professionals who allow an early and accurate diagnosis, thus facilitating access to appropriate treatments.
The network aims to improve knowledge in European countries, the standards of care, the quality of life and the prognosis of patients affected by the diseases covered by this network. The members of the ERN LUNG-ILD are committed to developing and disseminating guidelines, proposing homogenous therapeutic approaches among the various centers of the network, initiating and supporting the creation of European-level registries of these conditions, conducting clinical studies for the development of new drugs and studies on the natural history of these diseases.
Finally, the network for Interstitial Diseases collaborates closely with the European Federation of Pulmonary Fibrosis Patient Associations (European Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Related Disorder Federation EU-IPFF) by promoting information and dissemination activities for patients in order to improve the quality of life in Europe.