What is the Role of Complications and Comorbidities in Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) are separate entities characterised by distinct clinical, functional, radiological, and pathological characteristics. Comorbidities and complications are commonly seen in both diseases. Our purpose was to investigate which comorbidities are more common and what is their impact in the outcome of CPFE and IPF. demographic and clinical data were also studied. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. We have reviewed the medical records of the patients diagnosed with interstitial lung diseases in University Hospital of lung diseases “Shefqet Ndroqi”, in Tirana, in the period from January 2012 till April 2016. subjects (51 in total) were further divided in two groups: the patients diagnosed with CPFE (25) 49% and the others (26) 51% with IPF. For testing the impact of comorbidities in CPFE syndrome, we have used linear regression with multiple factors using EViews 7 program. The Student test is used to evaluate the importance of comorbidities and complications in CPFE and IPF. demographic and clinical data are expressed in average values using standard deviations ± SD. Results: All of the patients had comorbidities and complications. In CPFE syndrome predominate male smokers or ex-smokers. UPY is higher in CPFE. time from the appearance of symptoms to the diagnosis is longer in CPFE than in IPF patients. Comorbidities have more impact in CPFE syndrome (p = 0.01). In IPF we didnt find any significant relationships in comorbidities, but we have to remind that the number of patients was small. Conclusion: Comorbidities are frequent in CPFE and IPF patients. Some of them, especially lung cancer, influence strongly in the survival rate and some others, like respiratory insuficiency, may play an important role in the outcome of the disease. However, further research is needed to clarify the impact of comorbidities in CPFE syndrome. Keywords: Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.