Pulmonary & Respiratory
Also called IPF, pulmonary fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrotic interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology characterized by progressive replacement of normal lung tissue with fibrotic scar tissue. This fibrosis impairs gas exchange, leading to progressive hypoxemia and dyspnea, primarily with exertion initially but progressing to dyspnea at rest.
About trials for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Clinical trials are evaluating new antifibrotic agents, anti-inflammatory therapies, agents targeting specific molecular pathways in fibrosis progression, and combination therapies. Antifibrotic therapy with pirfenidone or nintedanib should be initiated in all patients at diagnosis, as these agents have proven efficacy in slowing progression.
Try Match Me →Typically affects adults ages 50-70 years; rare before age 40. More common in men than women. Associated with smoking history in some patients. Some familial clustering suggests genetic predisposition.
Clinical trials are evaluating new antifibrotic agents, anti-inflammatory therapies, agents targeting specific molecular pathways in fibrosis progression, and combination therapies. Antifibrotic therapy with pirfenidone or nintedanib should be initiated in all patients at diagnosis, as these agents have proven efficacy in slowing progression. The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation and patient organizations maintain trial information and patient support. Accurate diagnosis through clinical, radiological, and sometimes histological assessment is important. Lung transplantation remains an option for selected patients with advanced disease.
Cystic fibrosis is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder affecting the CFTR protein, which normally regulates chloride...
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare disease characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the pulmonary arter...
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and liver, caused by insufficient production of...