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. 2014 Jun;23(132):225-30.
doi: 10.1183/09059180.00001914.

Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Europe: the AIR survey

Vincent Cottin  1
Affiliations

Current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Europe: the AIR survey

Vincent Cottin. Eur Respir Rev. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

This review presents the results of the 2013 Advancing IPF Research (AIR) survey, which assessed current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by experienced physicians. A total of 149 physicians, predominantly from European countries, replied to the 28-question survey. The results of the AIR survey were compared with a similar survey of 509 French pulmonologists conducted by the French National Reference Centre and the Network of Regional Competence Centres for Rare Lung Diseases. A number of positive findings emerged from the AIR survey, including the high level of multidisciplinary team involvement in both diagnosis and management. This survey, when taken together with the French survey, suggests that there is still a need to improve earlier diagnosis of IPF.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: Disclosures can be found alongside the online version of this article at err.ersjournals.com

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Proportion of participants with access to a, b) a radiologist and c, d) a pathologist experienced in interstitial lung diseases to discuss cases of suspected idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the a, c) 2013 Advancing IPF Research (AIR) survey and b, d) 2012 French survey. In total, there were 147 respondents.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Involvement of a multidisciplinary team in diagnosis in a) the 2013 Advancing IPF Research (AIR) survey and b) the 2012 French survey. In total, there were 146 respondents in each survey.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Average duration of symptoms before a diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is confirmed in the 2013 Advancing IPF Research survey. In total, there were 144 respondents.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Initial symptoms revealing the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the 2013 Advancing IPF Research survey and the proportion of physicians who made a diagnosis of IPF in patients referred/who sought medical advice for each of the symptoms. In total, there were 145 respondents. CT: computed tomography.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Percentage of physicians who prescribed each of the specified treatments in patients diagnosed with definite idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the 2013 Advancing IPF Research survey. In total, there were 145 respondents. NAC: N-acetylcysteine.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Comorbidities/associated conditions/complications assessed in patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in the 2013 Advancing IPF Research survey. In total, there were 143 respondents. GORD: gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; PH: pulmonary hypertension; CV: cardiovascular.
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