Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a heterogeneous group of lung disorders characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the lung interstitium. The treatment of ILD is complex, and failure to respond to therapy is associated with poor outcomes. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the factors associated with treatment failure of ILD among patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Articles published between January 2010 and December 2021 that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The search strategy included a combination of keywords and medical subject headings (MeSH) terms related to ILD and treatment failure.

Results: A total of 4 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. The studies included 1,477 patients with various types of ILD. The factors associated with treatment failure of ILD among patients in KSA include older age, male gender, disease severity, comorbidities, smoking, and abnormal pulmonary function tests. The most commonly used medications were corticosteroids, azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and cyclophosphamide. Some studies reported the use of newer agents, such as pirfenidone and nintedanib, with varying degrees of success.

Conclusion: This research suggests early diagnosis, tailored treatment programs, and a multidisciplinary strategy comprising pulmonologists, rheumatologists, radiologists, and pathologists to enhance ILD therapy in KSA. To enhance ILD outcomes and quality of life, future research should investigate ILD mechanisms and create more effective treatment techniques. This systematic review helps doctors and policymakers in KSA and other countries manage ILD better.