INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is considered a disease of older patients, being rare in patients 50 years). Radiographic and histological findings, lung function parameters, comorbidities, disease progression and survival were analysed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 440 patients with interstitial lung disease, 129 patients with IPF were identified, including 30 (23.3%) 50 years. There were no differences between age groups in baseline demographics; younger patients were less likely to have a confirmed diagnosis by high-resolution computed tomography (p = 0.014), more likely to require a biopsy (p = 0.08) and less likely to have received antifibrotic therapy (p = 0.006). Despite an overall limited prognosis, younger patients had a significantly better median survival after diagnosis (p = 0.0375), with a significantly higher proportion of older patients dying due to respiratory failure (p = 0.0383). CONCLUSION: IPF patients under the age of 50 years have similar features and clinical course compared to older IPF patients. These patients should be diagnosed by adopting a multidisciplinary team approach, potentially benefitting from earlier intervention with effective antifibrotic therapy.
- Leuschner, G.
- Reiter, F.
- Stocker, F.
- Crispin, A.
- Kneidinger, N.
- Veit, T.
- Klenner, F.
- Ceelen, F.
- Zimmermann, G.
- Leuchte, H.
- Reu, S.
- Dinkel, J.
- Behr, J.
- Neurohr, C.
Keywords
- Clinical course
- Comorbidity
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Survival
- Young patients
