title: Clinical review: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis--past, present and future.
abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an important, and devastating, interstitial lung disease. It has a median mortality of only 3 years, worse than many cancers, and its incidence continues to rise. In this article, an overview of key developments in our understanding and clinical management of IPF will be provided.
authors.affiliation: Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, Scotland, UK. owen.dempsey@nhs.net
authors.forename: Owen J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Dempsey
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003348:Cortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003348:Cortisone