Aim:
To investigate retrospectively patients’ characteristics, reason of admission, medical management and outcome of hospitalized patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) within the years before the establishment of the latest guidelines and subsequently to reassess their diagnosis with respect to the novel international recommendations.

Methods:
Medical records of patients who were hospitalized in the 1^st and 6^th pulmonary department of Sotiria chest hospital and diagnosed with ILD within the years 1992-2008 were retrieved and analysed.

Results:
Seventy files were found suitable. There were 36 men and 34 women with a mean age of 67.4±13.7 years, most of them being non smokers. An underlying aetiologic condition was identified in 16 patients (22.8%). Only 8 patients (11.4%) had already undergone or were referred for a surgical lung biopsy. For 29 patients (41%) lung function data were found in files. The most common reasons for admission were dyspnea and fever. Αcute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) was the most frequent cause of inhospital mortality. Subacute deterioration of ILD, first investigation and acute exacerbation most often led to hospitalization. Unclassifiable ILD was the diagnosis at discharge in most cases. In almost half of the cases an alternative diagnosis occurred after re-examination of files.

Conclusion:
The implementation of the novel international recommendations regarding ILD in combination with the multidisciplinary approach led to an alternative diagnosis in almost half of the patients with ILD. A new prospective registry concerning ILD epidemiology, diagnosis, management and treatment is necessary in Greece.