Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: in need of focused and systematic management

Citation
Gi. Snell et al., Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: in need of focused and systematic management, MED J AUST, 174(3), 2001, pp. 137-140
Citations number
23
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine","Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
MEDICAL JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
ISSN journal
0025729X → ACNP
Volume
174
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
137 - 140
Database
ISI
SICI code
0025-729X(20010205)174:3<137:IPFINO>2.0.ZU;2-P
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an increasingly recognised, serious lung disease. A recent International Consensus Statement has redefined the term "idiopath ic pulmonary fibrosis", restricting its use to the entity previously descri bed as "usual interstitial pneumonia" and reclassifying some of the more be nign inerstitial lung diseases formerly included under IPF. There is insufficient quality evidence for the effectiveness of current med ical therapies for IPF. Lung transplantation provides a potential surgical therapeutic option for s elected individuals with IPF, but referral for transplant needs to be made as early as possible. Multidisciplinary clinics specialising in interstitial lung disease have a potential role in determining which patients may benefit from novel and exi sting medical therapies and which patients should be referred for lung tran splantation.