Characteristics and Health Related Quality of Life in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is defined as a specific form of chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown cause, occurring primarily in older adults, limited to the lungs, and associated with the histopathologic and/or radiologic pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia. The definition of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis requires the exclusion of other forms of interstitial pneumonia including other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias and Interstitial lung disease associated with environmental exposure, medication, or systemic disease. Prevalence estimates for Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have varied from 2 to 29 cases per 100,000 in the general population IPF should be considered in all adult patients with unexplained chronic exertional dyspnea, and commonly presents with cough, bibasilar inspiratory crackles, and finger clubbing.