Real-World Comprehensive Disease Management of Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating, progressive, and fatal fibrotic lung disease with a poor prognosis. Antifibrotic therapy slows but does not halt disease progression. Patient education and management needs change during disease progression. Management is complicated by comorbidities, adverse events associated with antifibrotic therapy, and difficulties with long-term oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. Treating IPF requires coordination between physicians and nurses in community and interstitial lung disease center settings. This review provides guidance for the healthcare professional who manages the essential aspects of care in IPF from diagnosis, through disease progression, and to the end of life.

Patients’ and Healthcare Professionals’ Experiences of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment with the Pirfenidone 801 mg Tablet Formulation: A Multinational Survey

“…In particular, our results have highlighted the geographical disparities in the role of the respiratory nurse. All of the nurse respondents in this study were based in the USA, where the role of the ILD specialist nurse is well established and involves providing patient education, helping patients to manage their symptoms and delivery of support groups [23,24]. We were unable to recruit nurses involved in the care of patients with IPF from other countries due to a lack of possible respondents selected by market research panels.…”