title: Prognostic factors in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
abstract: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 1 of the 7 idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, carries an ominous prognosis. It has a median survival of 2.8 years. However, there is significant heterogeneity in the actual length of survival, which varies from months to >5 years. Unfortunately, in addition to lung transplantation, no known medical intervention alters the natural history of the disease. Currently, many phase-III clinical trials are ongoing, but there is no Federal Drug Administration approved therapy. Thus, it is important for the clinician to be able to evaluate prognostic factors. These will help him draw conclusions about the possible course of his idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and make important therapeutic decisions (lung transplantation).
authors.affiliation: Fourth Respiratory Medicine Department, Athens Chest Disease Hospital Sotiria, Athens, Greece. tzilasvasilios@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tzilas
authors.forename: Aspasia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koti
authors.forename: Dimitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papandrinopoulou
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsoukalas
mesh_terms: D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014797:Vital Capacity; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D010100:Oxygen