[Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: recent diagnostic and therapeutic advances].

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most frequent of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. It is a progressive disorderwith a poor prognosis. Its diagnosis requires the careful exclusion of potential causes, and a pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia at high-resolution computed tomography or video-assisted surgical lung biopsy. Several recent randomized trials have profoundly modified the therapeutic management of IPF. The combination of prednisone and azathioprine, often prescribed until recently, has been shown to be harmful and is no longer indicated. N-acetylcystein, also used in the past decade, failed to show an efficacy. However, two new antifibrotic drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, have for the first time proven effective in slowing disease progression.

• Authors: N Petitpierre, C Beigelman, I Letovanec, L P Nicod, R Lazor
• Journal: Revue medicale suisse (Rev Med Suisse) Vol. 10 Issue 451 Pg. 2208-10, 2212-3 (Nov 19 2014) ISSN: 1660-9379 [Print] Switzerland
• Vernacular Title: Fibrose pulmonaire idiopathique: nouveautés diagnostiques et thérapeutiques.
• PMID: 25603568 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Azathioprine
• Prednisone

Topics

• Azathioprine (therapeutic use)
• Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System (trends)
• Humans
• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (classification, diagnosis, epidemiology, therapy)
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed