Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - a systematic review on methodology for the collection of epidemiological data

Abstract

BackgroundRecent studies suggest that the incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is rising. Accurate epidemiological data on IPF, however, are sparse and the results of previous studies are contradictory. This study was undertaken to gain insight into the various methods used in the epidemiological research of IPF, and to get accurate and comparable data on these different methodologies.MethodsA systematic database search was performed in order to identify all epidemiological studies on IPF after the previous guidelines for diagnosis and treatment were published in 2000. Medline (via Pubmed), Science Sitation Index (via Web of Science) and Embase databases were searched for original epidemiological articles published in English in international peer-reviewed journals starting from 2001. After pre-screening and a full-text review, 13 articles were accepted for data abstraction.ResultsThree different methodologies of epidemiological studies were most commonly used, namely: 1) national registry databases, 2) questionnaire-based studies, and 3) analysis of the health care system’s own registry databases. The overall prevalence and incidence of IPF varied in these studies between 0.5–27.9/100,000 and 0.22–8.8/100,000, respectively. According to four studies the mortality and incidence of IPF are rising.ConclusionsWe conclude that there are numerous ways to execute epidemiological research in the field of IPF. This review offers the possibility to compare the different methodologies that have been used, and this information could form a basis for future studies investigating the prevalence and incidence of IPF.

Oral immunotherapy with type V collagen in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

“…IPF affects ∼500 000 people in the USA and Europe [25], and its incidence appears to be increasing, as reported in multiple countries through registries and other epidemiological vehicles [6,26]. This underscores the need for effective treatments that are safe for chronic use in an older patient population; however, that goal remains elusive.…”

[Nintedanib for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Italy]

“…Ne deriva che la reale prevalenza ed incidenza dell'IPF non può essere stabilita con certezza [2]. Alcune recenti revisioni della letteratura [3,4] hanno evidenziato i diversi punti di forza e debolezza dei vari studi, del loro disegno e le principali problematiche che possono emergere, quando vengono effettuati dei confronti tra i differenti studi, rendendo pertanto difficile o impossibile giungere ad incidenze e prevalenze globali e stimare la mortalità attraverso metanalisi. L'incidenza più bassa è stata trovata in Asia, seguita dall'Europa (UE) e gli Stati Uniti (US) [2,5].…”

Epidemiological studies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: pitfalls in methodologies and data interpretation

“…KAUNISTO et al [28] suggested that the observed differences are probably due to various and heterogeneous methods of investigation and not to true geographical differences, as some authors suggest. KAUNISTO et al [28] also give some indications of possible reasons for the observed variability in epidemiological parameters, such as different diagnostic criteria or disease definition.…”

“…As highlighted in two recent systematic reviews on IPF epidemiology [28,29], estimated mortality and morbidity rates are highly variable. KAUNISTO et al [28] suggested that the observed differences are probably due to various and heterogeneous methods of investigation and not to true geographical differences, as some authors suggest.…”