Management and attitudes about IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) among physicians from Latin America

Iván Cherrez-Ojeda,César Delgado,Erick Calero,Annia Cherrez,Silvia Quadrelli,Daniel Simanca-Racines,Vincent Cottin,Juan Carlos Calderón

doi:10.1186/s12890-017-0569-1

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of our study was to assess current practice patterns and attitudes towards diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients in Latin America.MethodsA Cross-sectional survey was developed and up to 455 physicians were enrolled. We used a rigorous method of validation using the translated version of the AIR Survey.ResultsMean age was 47.5 years (SD 12.6) with 20.4 years (SD 12.3) of practice. In around 30% of physicians were reported access to radiologist, pathologist and multidisciplinary team. Despite almost all physicians reported that (ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT) guidelines are useful, half of them prescribed corticoids for treatment of disease. Most respondents (69.9%) reported cough as the presenting symptom. Around 80% considered IPF to be an important clinical disorder, and felt that identifying patients at risk for IPF was important or extremely important. However, only 59.7% felt confident in managing patients with IPF, and similar numbers (60.8%) felt confident about their knowledge. Pulmonologist have more confidence and management of IPF that no pulmonologist.ConclusionThe results of this survey of Latin American physicians could help to fill gaps regarding awareness, management and treatment of IPF and improve earlier diagnosis of IPF.

Highlights

The aim of our study was to assess current practice patterns and attitudes towards diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients in Latin America
We used a rigorous method of validation using the translated version of the Advanced IPF Research (AIR) Survey which we briefly described in the following paragraph
The Spanish-language version was translated to English by a third investigator who did not know the original version of the AIR Survey

Summary

Introduction

The aim of our study was to assess current practice patterns and attitudes towards diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients in Latin America. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is characterised by chronic, progressive and irreversible decline in pulmonary function. Clinical symptoms and natural history are unpredictable and vary in severity [1]. Because of the complex nature and variable course of IPF, diagnosis and treatment are difficult. New data have been published on the safety and efficacy of treatments proposed to slow the progression of the disease, to relieve symptoms, and to improve quality of life [2, 3]. The annual incidence of IPF in the US is estimated to be 6.8–8.8 per 100,000. IPF incidence increases with age and is

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