Quality of life of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients

Abstract

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most common interstitial lung diseases characteristed by worsening dyspnea, decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) and transfer factor of the lung for carbone monoxide (TLco). Whilst new therapies are being explored there is no validated systematic tool for measuring and monitoring health related quality of life (QoL) in IPF patients. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between QoL and clinical features of IPF patients. Methods: Data of 54 IPF patients (43% males; mean age 65,3 ±10,5 years) were reviewed retrospectively between 2013 and 2016. All patients underwent detailed pulmonological examinations including lung function tests, 6 minute walk test (6MWT), blood gas analysis, fluoroscopy to assess diaphragm movement and high resolution tomography (HRCT). The participants completed EuroQol five-dimensional test and Visual analog scale (VAS). Results: All of lung volumes were below normal volumes: FVC: 69.3±20.0%ref, total lung capacity (TLC): 66.4±28.2%ref, TLco: 65.9±21.3%ref. The main complaints were cough (70.4%) and dyspnea (64.8%). QoL values were below normal values: VAS: 57.6±18.2%, EuroQol: 0.6±0.3. Positive correlation was found between QoL and FVC (r=0.4, p Conclusion: The QoL of patients with IPF is strongly related to their FVC, TLco, the maximum of diaphragm motion by fluoroscopy, and inhaled lung volume define by HRCT. The most significant correlation was found between QoL, diaphragm mobility and resting dyspnoe.