Clinical Characteristics of Interstitial Pneumonia With Autoimmune Features (IPAF) - a Multicenter Prospective Study

Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) was defined in 2015 by the Working Group of the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) as interstitial pneumonia with some clinical and/or serological features suggesting presence of an underlying autoimmune disorder. However, ofiicial criteria for diagnosis of an autoimmune disease are not met. Aims of the study: 1. Determine the incindence of IPAF in comparison with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and classic autoimmune diseases (ADs) in polish pulmonological centers. 2. Clinical, serological, functional and radiological and histopathological characteristics of IPAF patients. 3. Analysis of diagnostic strategies towards specific IPAF subgroups. 4. Characterictics of potencial diagnostic, predictive and prognostic features of IPAF. 5. Prospective assessment of IPAF patients in the courseof 5 years in order to determine stability of the diagnosis and potential progression to other diseases, e.g. ADs.