Scholarlink

Purpose of Review <p>Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive form of fibrotic interstitial lung disease of unknown cause with a poor prognosis. IPF is generally thought of as a disease of older men, with an increasing proportion of patients over the age of 75. Treatment can be a challenge in an older population, with the side-effect burden of antifibrotics and prevalence of contraindications for lung transplantation.</p> Recent Findings <p>Several factors predict a shorter survival time, including advanced age, male sex, environment, genetic predisposition, physiological characteristics, an increasing symptom burden, and a greater extent of fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).&#xa0;</p> Summary <p>Understanding prognostic factors in IPF enables physicians to engage in timely and empathetic discussions about disease trajectory, advanced care planning, and treatments with patients and their families. Palliative care approaches should be considered early, given the unpredictable course of the disease and the shorter survival time in older IPF patients. </p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

The Importance of Prognostic Factors for Treatment and Care Planning for Elderly Patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月4日

查看全文
  • Aoife Carolan

摘要

Purpose of Review

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive form of fibrotic interstitial lung disease of unknown cause with a poor prognosis. IPF is generally thought of as a disease of older men, with an increasing proportion of patients over the age of 75. Treatment can be a challenge in an older population, with the side-effect burden of antifibrotics and prevalence of contraindications for lung transplantation.

Recent Findings

Several factors predict a shorter survival time, including advanced age, male sex, environment, genetic predisposition, physiological characteristics, an increasing symptom burden, and a greater extent of fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). 

Summary

Understanding prognostic factors in IPF enables physicians to engage in timely and empathetic discussions about disease trajectory, advanced care planning, and treatments with patients and their families. Palliative care approaches should be considered early, given the unpredictable course of the disease and the shorter survival time in older IPF patients.