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Restrictive lung disease is characterized by a decrease in lung volume, leading to reduced airflow and decreased ability to fully expand the lungs. Common causes of restrictive lung disease typically involve conditions that affect the lung parenchyma, pleura, chest wall, or the respiratory muscles.

Interstitial lung disease is a group of disorders that involve inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue, which stiffens the lungs and restricts their ability to expand fully during inhalation. Conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis, and certain pneumonitis cases fall under this category. This scarring leads to a significant reduction in total lung capacity and forced vital capacity, which are key indicators in diagnosing restrictive lung disease.

Other listed options relate more closely to obstructive lung diseases where airflow is obstructed, rather than a reduction in lung volume and expansion capability. Therefore, interstitial lung disease serves as a prime example of a common cause of restrictive lung disease, highlighting its role in affecting the lung's structural integrity and functional capacity.