Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease: prevalence and clinical outcome.

The progressive fibrosing (PF) phenotype of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is characterised by worsening respiratory symptoms, lung function, and extent of fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical outcomes of PF-ILD in a real-world cohort and assess the prognostic significance of the PF-ILD diagnostic criteria. Clinical data of patients with fibrosing ILD other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) consecutively diagnosed at a single centre were retrospectively reviewed. A PF phenotype was defined based on the criteria used in the INBUILD trial. The median follow-up duration was 62.7 months. Of the total of 396 patients, the mean age was 58.1 years, 39.9% were men, and rheumatoid arthritis-ILD was the most common (42.4%). A PF phenotype was identified in 135 patients (34.1%). The PF-ILD group showed lower forced vital capacity and total lung capacity (TLC) than the non-PF-ILD group. The PF-ILD group also showed poorer survival (median survival, 91.2 months vs. not reached; P < 0.001) than the non-PF-ILD group. In multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for age, DLCO, HRCT pattern, and specific diagnosis, PF phenotype was independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 3.053; P < 0.001) in patients with fibrosing ILD. Each criterion of PF-ILD showed similar survival outcomes. Our results showed that approximately 34% of patients with non-IPF fibrosing ILD showed a progressive phenotype and a poor outcome similar to that of IPF, regardless of the diagnostic criteria used.

Kwon BS ，Choe J ，Chae EJ ，Hwang HS ，Kim YG ，Song JW ... -  《RESPIRATORY RESEARCH》

Nationwide epidemiologic study for fibrosing interstitial lung disease (F-ILD) in South Korea: a population-based study.

Fibrosing interstitial lung disease (F-ILD) is a major public health concern due to its poor prognosis. Recent clinical evidence shows that antifibrotic approaches such as pirfenidone and nintedanib provide better clinical outcome prediction in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) as well as selected progressive fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD) patients. Having epidemiologic insight into these diseases will be essential for the efficient utilization of these therapeutic resources. This study aimed to estimate the current prevalence, incidence, and mortality of F-ILD classified as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), PF-ILD other than IPF, and non-progressive F-ILD and their temporal trend in Korea. Population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database (2011-2018). Patients with IPF were identified using ICD-10 code, RID code, and differential diagnosis approach. By leveraging medical records available from claim data and referencing those used in clinical trials, rigorous diagnostic criteria for PF-ILD detection were implemented. For the past eight years, the prevalence of IPF and PF-ILD has progressively increased, while non-progressive F-ILD has remained stable. IPF, PF-ILD, and non-progressive F-ILD prevalence per 100,000 in 2018 were 16.9, 10.4, and 11.7, respectively. The incidence of IPF in 2018 was more than twice that of 2012. The incidence of PF-ILD in 2018 was 1.5 times higher than that in 2012. In 2018, the mortalites were 10.3% and 12.2% for IPF and PF-ILD, respectively. The mortality rate of PF-ILD was greater than that of IPF in all years. Unclassifiable PF-ILD and rheumatoid arthritis-PF-ILD had the highest proportion and mortality among the PF-ILD subtypes. The prevalence and incidence of IPF and PF-ILD have been steadily increasing in recent years. The mortality rate of PF-ILD remained consistently high and exceeded those of IPF in all years.

Joung KI ，Park H ，Park S ，Shin JY ，Kim YH ... -  《BMC Pulmonary Medicine》

Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases: Prevalence and Characterization in Two Italian Referral Centers.

The prevalence and natural history of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (PF-ILDs), and their response to commonly used treatments in real life are largely unknown. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of PF-ILD patients attending 2 Italian referral centers (San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, and San Giuseppe Hospital, Milan) from January 1, 2011, to July 31, 2019. From a cohort of non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis fibrosing ILD patients with at least 2-year follow-up, we selected only those with progressive disease, defined as per the INBUILD trial, collecting their demographical, clinical, and functional data. Out of the 245 fibrosing ILD patients, 75 (31%) were classified as PF-ILDs (median age 66 years, 60% males), most frequently idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (28%), followed by connective tissue disease-associated ILD (20%), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and sarcoidosis (17% each). Most patients (81%) were categorized as PF-ILDs because of forced vital capacity (FVC) decline ≥10%, while 19% experienced a marginal FVC decline (between 5 and 10%) associated with worsening respiratory symptoms or increasing extent of fibrotic changes on high-resolution computed tomography. Disease progression occurred after a median of 18 months from ILD diagnosis. The vast majority (93%) of PF-ILD patients received prednisolone, alone (40%) or associated with steroid-sparing agents (52%), and 35% of treated patients developed treatment-related adverse events. After ILD progression, the median survival was 3 (interquartile range (IQR) 2-5) years, with a 2- and 3-year mortality rate of 4 and 20%, respectively. In a real-life setting, approximately one-third of the fibrosing ILD patients showed a progressive course despite treatment. Studies aimed to better phenotype this subgroup of patients are needed.

Faverio P ，Piluso M ，De Giacomi F ，Della Zoppa M ，Cassandro R ，Harari S ，Luppi F ，Pesci A ... -  《-》

Healthcare Resources Utilization and Costs of Patients with Non-IPF Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease Based on Insurance Claims in the USA.

Olson AL ，Maher TM ，Acciai V ，Mounir B ，Quaresma M ，Zouad-Lejour L ，Wells CD ，De Loureiro L ... -  《-》

Prevalence and characteristics of progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease in a prospective registry.

Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD) is characterised by progressive physiological, symptomatic and/or radiographic worsening. The real-world prevalence and characteristics of PF-ILD remain uncertain. Patients were enrolled from the Canadian Registry for Pulmonary Fibrosis between 2015 and 2020. PF-ILD was defined as a relative forced vital capacity (FVC) decline ≥10%, death, lung transplantation or any two of: relative FVC decline ≥5% and <10%, worsening respiratory symptoms or worsening fibrosis on computed tomography of the chest, all within 24 months of diagnosis. Time-to-event analysis compared progression between key diagnostic subgroups. Characteristics associated with progression were determined by multivariable regression. Of 2746 patients with fibrotic ILD (mean±sd age 65±12 years; 51% female), 1376 (50%) met PF-ILD criteria in the first 24 months of follow-up. PF-ILD occurred in 427 (59%) patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 125 (58%) with fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), 281 (51%) with unclassifiable ILD (U-ILD) and 402 (45%) with connective tissue disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD). Compared with IPF, time to progression was similar in patients with HP (hazard ratio (HR) 0.96, 95% CI 0.79-1.17), but was delayed in patients with U-ILD (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.96) and CTD-ILD (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.56-0.74). Background treatment varied across diagnostic subtypes, with 66% of IPF patients receiving antifibrotic therapy, while immunomodulatory therapy was utilised in 49%, 61% and 37% of patients with CHP, CTD-ILD and U-ILD, respectively. Increasing age, male sex, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and lower baseline pulmonary function were independently associated with progression. Progression is common in patients with fibrotic ILD, and is similarly prevalent in HP and IPF. Routinely collected variables help identify patients at risk for progression and may guide therapeutic strategies.

Hambly N ，Farooqi MM ，Dvorkin-Gheva A ，Donohoe K ，Garlick K ，Scallan C ，Chong SG ，MacIsaac S ，Assayag D ，Johannson KA ，Fell CD ，Marcoux V ，Manganas H ，Morisset J ，Comes A ，Fisher JH ，Shapera S ，Gershon AS ，To T ，Wong AW ，Sadatsafavi M ，Wilcox PG ，Halayko AJ ，Khalil N ，Cox G ，Richeldi L ，Ryerson CJ ，Kolb M ... -  《-》