Position Paper: Significance of the Forced Vital Capacity in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Spirometry is a highly standardized method which allows to measure the forced vital capacity (FVC) with high precision and reproducibility. In patients with IPF FVC is directly linked to the disease process which is characterized by scaring of alveoli and shrinkage of the lungs. Consequently, there is ample evidence form clinical studies that the decline of FVC over time is consistently associated with mortality in IPF. As for the first time effective drugs for the treatment of IPF are available it becomes obvious that in studies which could demonstrate that the drug reduces FVC decline, a numerical effect on mortality was also observed, while in one study where a significant effect on FVC decline was missed, there was also no change in mortality. Based on these studies FVC decline is a validated surrogate of mortality in IPF. It is concluded that FVC decline is not only accepted as an endpoint of clinical treatment trials in IPF but is also valid as a patient related outcome parameter which should be considered for the assessment of the efficacy of an IPF drug.