Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Diagnosis of IPF
IPF is a challenging disease to diagnose,1 as many of the clinical, histological and radiological hallmarks of IPF are present in other conditions.1,2 Up to 50% of individuals are initially misdiagnosed with conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.3 As a result, the average time from troublesome symptoms to accurate diagnosis is 1–2 years.4
The diagnosis of IPF involves the elimination of other possible causes of interstitial lung disease (ILD)5 by use of a detailed clinical investigation, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), bronchoalveolar lavage, transbronchial biopsy and/or surgical lung biopsy (if required) and multidisciplinary team discussion.6
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References
1.
Oldham JM, Noth I. Respir Med 2014;108(6):819–829.
2.
American Thoracic Society, European Respiratory Society. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2002;165(2):277–304.
3.
Collard HR et al. Respir Med 2007;101(6):1350–1354.
4.
Ley B, Collard HR, King TE. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011;183(4):431–440.
5.
Raghu G et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2011;183(6):788–824.
6.
NICE clinical guideline [CG163]. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in adults: diagnosis and management. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg163 (accessed February 2022).
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Find out more information about OFEV® (nintedanib) below
OFEV® (nintedanib) is indicated in adults for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and for the treatment of other chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with a progressive phenotype.
PC-GB-106292
March 2022