Management

The main goal of treatment is to prevent progression of disease, and increase the quality of life for individuals with IPF.

Many of the known treatments for IPF have associated complications, and need to be evaluated on a patient-by-patient basis. Treatment recommendations by the ATS/ERS can be found in the ATS/ERS consensus statement on IPF. Often, management includes combined therapy, oxygen supplementation, and frequent surveillance. Lung transplantation may be considered in severe cases of IPF/FPF.

 

Management of FPF and IIP is similar and depends on the type of IIP diagnosed in an individual; oxygen therapy may improve exercise tolerance in those with hypoxemia; lung transplantation may be considered, particularly in those who are unresponsive to therapy, have significant functional impairment, and have no other major illnesses that would preclude transplantation.