title: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: an update.
abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung condition of uncertain aetiology that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who experience breathlessness, cough and reduced exercise tolerance. IPF is characterized histologically by the presence of usual interstitial pneumonia, and often has typical radiological appearances. Long-term successful management options are limited and frequently unsuccessful; as the disease progresses, palliation of symptoms becomes the mainstay of treatment. In a minority of patients, lung transplantation provides the only hope of long-term survival. The median survival of patients with IPF is approximately 3 years, which in turn emphasizes the need for further investigation into its pathogenesis and potential disease-modifying pharmacological therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN. owen.dempsey@nhs.net
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Dempsey
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gomersall
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Remmen
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Currie
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D011379:Prognosis; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors