Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an inflammatory disease of the pulmonary interstitial of unknown origin. The unknown causes of alveolar fibrosis and diffuse pulmonary interstitial fibrosis are synonyms. Typical IPF is mainly manifested by dry cough and progressive dyspnea, which gradually worsens over several months or years, and usually progresses to end-stage respiratory failure or death within 3 to 8 years of symptoms. The main pathological feature is a mixture of fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the interstitial and alveolar cavities. Although the pathogenesis of the disease has not been fully elucidated, its clinical characteristics and pathology are sufficient to explain that it is a characteristic disease. The treatment of IPF still lacks objective and decisive prognostic factors or treatment responses. Corticosteroids (hereinafter referred to as hormones) or immunosuppressive agents and cytotoxic drugs are still the main treatment drugs, but less than 30% of patients have a treatment response. Can show toxic side effects.