Pulmonary fibrosis

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Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis are mainly:

Pulmonary fibrosis is suggested by a history of progressive shortness of breath (dyspnea) with exertion.[2] Sometimes fine inspiratory crackles can be heard at the lung bases on auscultation.[2] A chest x-ray may or may not be abnormal, but high Resolution CT will frequently demonstrate abnormalities.[2]


Pulmonary fibrosis may be a secondary effect of other diseases. Most of these are classified as interstitial lung diseases. Examples include autoimmune disorders, viral infections or other microscopic injuries to the lung.[1] However, pulmonary fibrosis can also appear without any known cause. In this case, it is termed "idiopathic".[3] Most idiopathic cases are diagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. This is a diagnosis of exclusion of a characteristic set of histologic/pathologic features known as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). In either case, there is a growing body of evidence which points to a genetic predisposition in a subset of patients. For example, a mutation in Surfactant protein C (SP-C) has been found to exist in some families with a history of pulmonary fibrosis.[1]



Pulmonary fibrosis involves gradual exchange of normal lung parenchyma with fibrotic tissue. The replacement of normal lung with scar tissue causes irreversible decrease in oxygen diffusion capacity.[1] In addition, decreased compliance makes pulmonary fibrosis a restrictive lung disease. It is the main cause of restrictive lung disease that is intrinsic to the lung parenchyma. In contrast, quadriplegia[5] and kyphosis[6] are examples of causes of restrictive lung disease that do not necessarily involve pulmonary fibrosis



The diagnosis can be confirmed by lung biopsy.[2] A videoscopic assisted thoracoscopic wedge biopsy (VATS) under general anesthesia may be necessary to obtain enough tissue to make an accurate diagnosis. This kind of biopsy involves placement of several tubes through the chest wall, one of which is used to cut off a piece of lung to send for evaluation .[2] The removed tissue is examined histopathologically by microscopy to confirm the presence and pattern of fibrosis as well as presence of other features that may indicate a specific cause e.g. specific types of mineral dust or possible response to therapy e.g. a pattern of so called non-specific interstitial fibrosis.[2]

Misdiagnosis is common because, while overall pulmonary fibrosis is not rare, each individual type of pulmonary fibrosis is uncommon and the evaluation of patients with these diseases is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach.[1] Terminology has been standardized but difficulties still exist in their application.[1] Even experts may disagree with the classification of some cases.

On spirometry, as a restrictive lung disease, both the FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second) and FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) are reduced so the FEV1/FVC ratio is normal or even increased in contrast to obstructive lung disease where this ratio is reduced. The values for residual volume and total lung capacity are generally decreased in restrictive lung disease.[7]

Treatment and prevention


The immune system is felt to play a central role in the development of many forms of pulmonary fibrosis. The goal of treatment with immune suppressive agents such as corticosteroids is to decrease lung inflammation and subsequent scarring. Responses to treatment are variable. Those whose conditions improve with immune suppressive treatment probably do not have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has no significant treatment or cure.[2] There are pharmacological agents in the experimental phase intended to prevent scarring.[1] Anti-inflammatory agents have only limited success in reducing the fibrotic progress.[1]

Oxygen supplementation improves the quality of life and exercise capacity.[1] Lung transplantation may be considered for some patients.[1]


Lung with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis at autopsy

Hypoxia caused by pulmonary fibrosis can lead to pulmonary hypertension, which, in turn, can lead to heart failure of the right ventricle. This can be prevented with oxygen supplementation.[2]

Pulmonary fibrosis may also cause increased risk for pulmonary emboli, which can be prevented by anticoagulants.[2]


Five million people worldwide are affected by pulmonary fibrosis.[1] A wide range of incidence and prevalence rates have been reported for pulmonary fibrosis. The rates below are per 100,000 persons, and the ranges reflect narrow and broad inclusion criteria, respectively.

Study authorsIncidence ratePrevalence ratePopulationYears covered
Raghu et al. [8]--6.8-16.314.0-42.7U.S. health care claims processing system1996–2000
Fernandez Perez et al. [9]--8.8-17.427.9-63.0Olmstead County, MN1997–2005
Coultas et al. [10]Male27.530.3Bernalillo County, NM1988–1990

Based on these rates, pulmonary fibrosis prevalence in the United States could range from more than 29,000 to almost 132,000, based on the population in 2000 that was 18 years or older. The actual numbers may be significantly higher due to misdiagnosis.[1] Typically, patients are in their forties and fifties when diagnosed while the incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis increases dramatically after the age of fifty. However, loss of pulmonary function is commonly ascribed to old age, heart disease or to more common lung diseases. Fibrosis is best known for killing Peter Benchley in 2006.[1]


  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation > What is Pulmonary Fibrosis? Last updated October 19, 2009
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x MedicineNet.com > Pulmonary Fibrosis Retrieved on Feb 26, 2010
  3. ^ a b c d e MedlinePlus > Pulmonary Fibrosis Date last updated: 09 February 2010
  4. ^ Goemaere NN, Grijm K, van Hal PT, den Bakker MA (2008). "Nitrofurantoin-induced pulmonary fibrosis: a case report". J Med Case Reports 2: 169. doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-169. PMC 2408600. PMID 18495029. http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/2//169. 
  5. ^ Walker J, Cooney M, Norton S (August 1989). "Improved pulmonary function in chronic quadriplegics after pulmonary therapy and arm ergometry". Paraplegia 27 (4): 278–83. PMID 2780083. 
  6. ^ eMedicine Specialties > Pulmonology > Interstitial Lung Diseases > Restrictive Lung Disease Author: Lalit K Kanaparthi, MD, Klaus-Dieter Lessnau, MD, Sat Sharma, MD. Updated: Jul 27, 2009
  7. ^ "www.spirXpert.com". http://www.spirxpert.com/characteristic6.htm. 