Interstitial lung diseases are heterogeneous entities with diverse clinical presentations. Among them, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease are specific categories that pulmonologists are most likely to encounter in the clinical field. Despite the accumulated data from extensive clinical trial and observations, we continue to have many...

Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients has evolved very slowly; the fundamental approach of corticosteroids alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive agents has had little impact on long-term survival. The continued use of corticosteroids is justified because of the lack of a more effective alternative. Current research indicates that the mechanisms driving idiopathic pu...

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common of interstitial lung diseases and is characterised by a significant mortality rate. That is way both clinicists and patients are interested to identify factors that may influence outcome of disease. This factors are named biological markers or biomarkers. Their usefulness in diagnostic, monitoring and prognosis of interstitial pneumonia, an...

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Clinically Meaningful Primary Endpoints in Phase 3 Clinical Trials 3 Hot on the breath: Mortality as a primary end-point in IPF treatment trials: the best is the enemy of the good 4 Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Lung Function is a Clinically Meaningful Endpoint for Phase 3 Trials 4 III. About Sarcoidosis 5 A Novel Sarcoidosis Risk Locus for Europeans on Chromosom...

We report a patient who presented with progressive exertional dyspnoea, chronic cough and radiographic signs of interstitial lung disease. Since several of his family members were known to have familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis he was also suspected to suffer from this disease. After thorough investigation, including histological examination of lung biopsies obtained by thoracoscopy, a dia...

The idiopathic interstitial pneumonias are diffuse lung diseases characterized by interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the best imaging technique for the study of interstitial disease. The general term "idiopathic interstitial pneumonia" includes usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, desqu...