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Progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: lessons from asymmetrical disease

Background In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) the distribution and spatial-temporal progression of fibrotic changes may be influenced by general or locoregional conditions. From this perspective, patients with asymmetrical disease (AIPF) may be unique. Methods This retrospective study included 32 patients (26 men, mean±SD age 69±7 years) with AIPF, as defined by an asymmetry ratio (most affected – least affected fibrosis score)/(most affected + least affected fibrosis score) >0.2. The global fibrosis score was the average of the right and left scores. Patients with AIPF were compared with 64 matched controls with symmetrical IPF. Results Patients with AIPF did not differ from controls in global fibrosis score and forced vital capacity, but carbon monoxide transfer factor was less decreased (52±19% vs 43±13%, p=0.009). The rate of gastro-oesophageal reflux and acute exacerbations was significantly higher in patients with AIPF (62.5% vs 31.3%, p=0.006 and 46.9% vs 17.2%, p=0.004, respectively). In patients with AIPF the right side was more likely to be involved (62.5%); the median asymmetry ratio was 0.5 (range 0.24–1). Although the global fibrosis score worsened significantly in all 23 patients with AIPF with serial high-resolution CT scans (p<0.0001), pulmonary fibrosis remained asymmetrical in all except three. During follow-up, 15 patients with AIPF experienced 18 acute exacerbations. The first episode was virtually unilateral, occurring in the most affected lung in 10 patients (66.7%). Survival was similar between patients with AIPF and controls. Conclusion AIPF may be related to locoregional factors including gastro-oesophageal reflux which may be responsible for both disease expansion and the occurrence of acute exacerbations.

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: survival is influenced by the underlying cause

Idiopathic, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) is most often associated with various clinical disorders, including connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (cHP). Emerging evidence also suggests that “idiopathic” NSIP may be the lung manifestation of undifferentiated CTD (UCTD). However, whether or not NSIP outcome is influenced by the underlying cause remains uncertain. This retrospective study included 127 biopsy-proven NSIP patients (65 women, mean±sd age 55±12 years). Survivals were estimated using a Kaplan–Meier curve and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariate analyses were based on a Cox model. 15 (11.8%) patients had cHP, 29 (22.8%) had CTD, 32 (25.2%) satisfied the Kinder criteria for UCTD and 51 (40.1%) had idiopathic NSIP. At the end of follow-up (mean±sd 64±54 months), a difference in survival was observed between aetiological groups (p=0.002). Survival was better for UCTD than for idiopathic NSIP (p=0.020) and similar to that observed for CTD. cHP survival tended to be poorer than that of idiopathic NSIP (p=0.087) and was an independent predictor of mortality (hazard ratio 2.17, 95% CI 1.05–4.47; p=0.035). NSIP outcome is influenced by its cause. cHP exhibits the highest mortality. UCTD does not differ from CTD supporting the concept of autoimmune NSIP, with a prognosis that is better than that of idiopathic NSIP. NSIP patients should be investigated for the presence of an underlying cause, which significantly impacts survival http://ow.ly/F1lO2

Role of atmospheric pollution on the natural history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Introduction Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has an unpredictable course corresponding to various profiles: stability, physiological disease progression and rapid decline. A minority of patients experience acute exacerbations (AEs). A recent study suggested that ozone and nitrogen dioxide might contribute to the occurrence of AE. We hypothesised that outdoor air pollution might influence the natural history of IPF. Methods Patients were selected from the French cohort COhorte FIbrose (COFI), a national multicentre longitudinal prospective cohort of IPF (n=192). Air pollutant levels were assigned to each patient from the air quality monitoring station closest to the patient’s geocoded residence. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the impact of air pollution on AE, disease progression and death. Results Onset of AEs was significantly associated with an increased mean level of ozone in the six preceding weeks, with an HR of 1.47 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.92) per 10 µg/m3 (p=0.005). Cumulative levels of exposure to particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 were above WHO recommendations in 34% and 100% of patients, respectively. Mortality was significantly associated with increased levels of exposure to PM10 (HR=2.01, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.77) per 10 µg/m3 (p=0.03), and PM2.5 (HR=7.93, 95% CI 2.93 to 21.33) per 10 µg/m3 (p<0.001). Conclusion This study suggests that air pollution has a negative impact on IPF outcomes, corroborating the role of ozone on AEs and establishing, for the first time, the potential role of long-term exposure to PM10 and PM2.5 on overall mortality.

Obstructive sleep apnoea and related comorbidities in incident idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The objectives of this prospective study were: 1) to determine the prevalence and determinants of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in patients with newly diagnosed idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); 2) to determine whether OSA was associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well as increased oxidative stress and levels of IPF biomarkers in the blood. A group of 45 patients with newly diagnosed IPF attended polysomnography. The prevalence of CVD and the severity of coronary artery calcification were investigated by high-resolution computed tomography. The levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-DG) and various IPF biomarkers in the blood were compared between patients with no or mild OSA (apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) <15 events·h−1), with moderate OSA (15 ≤AHI <30 events·h−1) and with severe OSA (AHI ≥30 events·h−1). The prevalence of moderate-to-severe OSA and severe OSA was 62% and 40%, respectively. AHI did not correlate with demographic or physiological data. All patients with severe OSA had a medical history of CVD, versus 41.2% and 40% of those with no or mild OSA, or with moderate OSA, respectively (p<0.0001). Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and moderate-to-severe coronary artery calcifications were strongly associated with severe OSA. The 8-OH-DG and matrix metalloproteinase-7 serum levels were significantly increased in the severe OSA group. Moderate-to-severe OSA is highly prevalent in incident IPF and severe OSA is strongly associated with the presence of CVD, particularly IHD. Severe sleep apnoea syndrome is associated with cardiovascular disease in incident idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis http://ow.ly/9GTv30bgIOR