Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic fibrotic lung disease of unknown cause that occurs in adults and has a poor prognosis. Its epidemiology has been difficult to study because of its rarity and evolution in diagnostic and coding practices. Though uncommon, it is likely underappreciated both in terms of its occurrence (ie, incidence, prevalence) and public health impact (ie, health care costs and resource utilization). Incidence and mortality appear to be on the rise, and prevalence is expected to increase with the aging population. Potential risk factors include occupational and environmental exposures, tobacco smoking, gastroesophageal reflux, and genetic factors. An accurate understanding of its epidemiology is important, especially as novel therapies significant associations in at least one study included agri-culture/farming, hairdressing, birds, animal/vegetable dust, livestock, wood dust, textile dust, mold, metal dust, stone/ sand/silica, wood fires, and tobacco smoking. 30–35 Meta-analysis of exposures with at least two a significant association for agriculture/farming (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.20–2.26, population attributable 20.8%), (OR 95% CI 1.28–3.68, PAR 4.1%), wood (OR 1.94, 1.34–2.81, PAR 5.0%), metal dust (OR 2.44, 95% CI PAR 3.4%), stone/sand/silica (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.09–3.55, PAR 3.5%), and smoking (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.27–1.97, PAR 49.1%). A dose-response has been suggested for metal dust exposure 34 and moderate smoking 35,36 Smoking has also been associated with a higher risk of developing familial pulmonary fibrosis with an and sex-adjusted odds ratio of 3.6 CI 1.2–9.8). disease epidemiology, screening preventative Specific topics include: diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, screening, prevention, risk factor modification, systematic reviews, risk & safety of medical interventions, epidemiology & bio- statical methods, evaluation of guidelines, translational medicine, health policies & economic evaluations. The manuscript management system is completely online and includes a very quick and fair peer-review system, which is all easy to use.