Which lung pathology is characterized by decreased lung volumes on pulmonary function tests?

The correct response is interstitial lung disease, which is known for its impact on lung volumes. In interstitial lung disease, the lung tissue becomes inflamed and scarred, leading to stiffness in the lungs. This stiffness results in a restrictive pattern of lung disease, characterized by decreased lung volumes, particularly in measures such as total lung capacity and vital capacity.

Pulmonary function tests in patients with interstitial lung disease show a reduction in these volumes compared to the expected values for healthy individuals, reflecting the inability of the lungs to expand fully during inhalation. This condition contrasts with obstructive lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, where lung volumes may be normal or increased but airflow is impaired during expiration. Pneumonia can lead to decreased lung volumes, but it typically presents with other findings and might not show the same restrictive pattern seen in interstitial lung disease.