Background Evidence from the UK suggests the incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is increasing, but there is a lack of data from elsewhere in the World. The cause of the disease remains unknown. New anti-fibrotic therapies may increase the use of surgical lung biopsy for accurate diagnosis, although the risks of this (and other surgery) are not clear. Methods Collated international mortality statistics and a systematic review of the literature were used to assess the incidence and mortality of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis worldwide. Primary care data from the United Kingdom were used to assess the association between recent major surgery and a new diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Secondary care data from the United States and United Kingdom were used to assess the risk of surgical lung biopsy for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease, and the risk of other major surgery in those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Results Mortality from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in increasing steadily worldwide. Incidence varies worldwide but is in the range of 3-9 per 100,000 in the West. No association was identified between recent major surgery and a new diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Surgical lung biopsy for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease has an in-hospital mortality of under 2% for elective procedures, but this is higher for non-elective surgery, and in those who are older with co-morbidities. In those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis undergoing major surgery, in-hospital mortality was higher than the general population. Conclusion Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis seems to be increasingly common worldwide. Surgery has risks, particularly in unwell older patients, and less invasive diagnostic methods are needed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:728451 |
| Date | January 2017 |
| Creators | Hutchinson, John |
| Publisher | University of Nottingham |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40715/ |
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