Interní Med. 2016; 18(2): 61-65 | DOI: 10.36290/int.2016.015

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - or what new in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

MUDr.Martina Doubková

Klinika nemocí plicních a tuberkulózy LF Masarykovy univerzity a FN Brno, pracoviště Bohunice

Interstitial lung diseases, also called difuse parenchymal lung disorders, are characterized by a variable degree of inflammatory

and fibrotic changes affecting interstitial spaces, air spaces and alveolar walls. New knowledge about these diseases led in 2013

to create a new classification of one of the subgroups of interstitial lung diseases called idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs).

IIPs are divided into major, rare and unclassifiable. Major IIPs are subdivided into chronic IIPs, smoking-related IIPs and acute/

subacute IIPs. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common and severe form IIP, with a poor prognosis. IPF is characterised

by progressive respiratory failure resulting from a relentless fibrosis leading to destruction of the lung architecture. Knowledge

of the disease, along with the possibility of new treatment modalities increases the likelihood of early diagnosis, affecting the

course of the disease and improves quality of life.

Keywords: interstitial lung diseases, classification, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosi

Published: May 1, 2016  Show citation