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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis; IPF; Pulmonary fibrosis; Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis; CFA; Fibrosing alveolitis; Usual interstitial pneumonitis; UIP

 

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is scarring or thickening of the lungs without a known cause.

Causes

 

Health care providers do not know what causes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) or why some people get it. Idiopathic means the cause is not known. The condition may be due to the lungs responding to an unknown substance or injury. Genes may play a role in developing IPF. The disease occurs most often in people between 50 and 70 years old.

 

Symptoms

 

When you have IPF, your lungs become scarred and stiffened. This makes it hard for you to breathe. In most people, IPF gets worse quickly over months or a few years. In others, IPF worsens over a much longer time.

Symptoms may include any of the following:

  • Chest pain (sometimes)
  • Cough (usually dry)
  • Not able to be as active as before
  • Shortness of breath during activity (this symptom lasts for months or years, and over time may also occur when at rest)

 

Exams and Tests

 

The provider will do a physical exam and ask about your medical history. You will be asked whether you have been exposed to asbestos or other toxins and if you have been a smoker.

The physical exam may find that you have:

  • Abnormal breath sounds called crackles
  • Bluish skin (cyanosis) around the mouth or fingernails due to low oxygen (with advanced disease)
  • Enlargement and curving of the fingernail bases, called clubbing (with advanced disease)

Tests that help diagnose IPF include the following:

  • Bronchoscopy
  • Chest CT scan
  • Chest x-ray
  • Echocardiogram
  • Measurements of blood oxygen level (arterial blood gases)
  • Pulmonary function tests
  • 6-minute walk test
  • Tests for connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis , lupus, or scleroderma
  • Open lung (surgical) lung biopsy

 

Treatment

 

There is no known cure for IPF.

Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and slowing disease progression:

  • Pirfenidone (Esbriet) and nintedanib (Ofev) are 2 medicines that treat IPF. They may help slow lung damage.
  • People with low blood oxygen levels will never need oxygen support at home.
  • Lung rehabilitation will not cure the disease, but it can help people exercise with less difficulty breathing.

Making home and lifestyle changes can help manage breathing symptoms. If you or any family members smoke, now is the time to stop.

A lung transplant may be considered for some people with advanced IPF.

 

Support Groups

 

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

These organizations are good resources for information on lung disease:

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

IPF may improve or stay stable for a longtime with or without treatment. Most people get worse, even with treatment.

When breathing symptoms become more severe, you and your provider should discuss treatments that prolong life , such as lung transplantation. Also discuss advance care planning .

 

Possible Complications

 

Complications of IPF may include:

  • Abnormally high levels of red blood cells due to low blood oxygen levels
  • Collapsed lung
  • High blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs
  • Respiratory failure

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider right away if you have any of the following:

  • Breathing that is harder, faster, or shallower (you are unable to take a deep breath)
  • To lean forward when sitting to breathe comfortably
  • Frequent headaches
  • Sleepiness or confusion
  • Fever
  • Dark mucus when you cough
  • Blue fingertips or skin around your fingernails

 

 

Open References

References

Raghu G. Interstitial lung disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 92.

Raghu G, Rochwerg B, Zhang Y, et al. An official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT clinical practice guideline: treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. An update of the 2011 clinical practice guideline. Am J Respir Crit Care Med . 2015 Jul 15;192(2):e3-19. PMID: 26177183 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26177183 .

Ryu JH, Selman M, Colby TV, King TE. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 63.

 
  • Spirometry

    Spirometry - illustration

    Spirometry is a painless study of air volume and flow rate within the lungs. Spirometry is frequently used to evaluate lung function in people with obstructive or restrictive lung diseases such as asthma or cystic fibrosis.

    Spirometry

    illustration

  • Clubbing

    Clubbing - illustration

    Clubbing may result from chronic low blood-oxygen levels. This can be seen with cystic fibrosis, congenital cyanotic heart disease, and several other diseases. The tips of the fingers enlarge and the nails become extremely curved from front to back.

    Clubbing

    illustration

  • Respiratory system

    Respiratory system - illustration

    Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

    Respiratory system

    illustration

    • Spirometry

      Spirometry - illustration

      Spirometry is a painless study of air volume and flow rate within the lungs. Spirometry is frequently used to evaluate lung function in people with obstructive or restrictive lung diseases such as asthma or cystic fibrosis.

      Spirometry

      illustration

    • Clubbing

      Clubbing - illustration

      Clubbing may result from chronic low blood-oxygen levels. This can be seen with cystic fibrosis, congenital cyanotic heart disease, and several other diseases. The tips of the fingers enlarge and the nails become extremely curved from front to back.

      Clubbing

      illustration

    • Respiratory system

      Respiratory system - illustration

      Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.

      Respiratory system

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

        Tests for Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

         
           

          Review Date: 1/30/2016

          Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial Team.

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