open access
New twist to an old problem: COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
open access
Abstract
Iidiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis and treatment during this COVID-19 pandemic have been affected. COVID-19 has not only impacted the prognosis of these patients but also the approach to these patients. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) and lung biopsies are less encouraged now. Traditional antifibrotics used in IPF should be encouraged irrespective of patient lung function and in those with non-definite usual interstitial pneumonia in high resolution computed tomography.
Abstract
Iidiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnosis and treatment during this COVID-19 pandemic have been affected. COVID-19 has not only impacted the prognosis of these patients but also the approach to these patients. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) and lung biopsies are less encouraged now. Traditional antifibrotics used in IPF should be encouraged irrespective of patient lung function and in those with non-definite usual interstitial pneumonia in high resolution computed tomography.
Keywords
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; COVID-19; interstitial lung disease; pirfenidone


Title
New twist to an old problem: COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Journal
Advances in Respiratory Medicine
Issue
Article type
Letter to the Editor
Published online
2020-12-17
DOI
10.5603/ARM.a2020.0177
Keywords
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
COVID-19
interstitial lung disease
pirfenidone
Authors
Pratap Upadhya
Ravindra Chary
Gopal Chawla
Rohit Vadala
Madhusmita Mohanty


- Livingston E, Bucher K. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Italy. JAMA. 2020; 323(14): 1335.
- Nathan SD, Costabel U, Albera C, et al. Pirfenidone in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and more advanced lung function impairment. Respir Med. 2019; 153: 44–51.
- Fisher JH, Shapera S, To T, et al. Procedure volume and mortality after surgical lung biopsy in interstitial lung disease. Eur Respir J. 2019; 53(2).
- Wells AU, Flaherty KR, Brown KK, et al. Nintedanib in progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases. N Engl J Med. 2019; 381(18): 1718–1727.
- Wootton SC, Kim DS, Kondoh Y, et al. Viral infection in acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2011; 183(12): 1698–1702.
- Nathan SD, Albera C, Bradford WZ, et al. Effect of pirfenidone on mortality: pooled analyses and meta-analyses of clinical trials in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Lancet Respir Med. 2017; 5(1): 33–41.
- Fragkou PC, Belhadi D, Peiffer-Smadja N, et al. Review of trials currently testing treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2020; 26(8): 988–998.
- Tang N, Bai H, Chen X, et al. Anticoagulant treatment is associated with decreased mortality in severe coronavirus disease 2019 patients with coagulopathy. J Thromb Haemost. 2020; 18(5): 1094–1099.
- Lancaster LH, Valenzuela C, Mason W, et al. Design of the INPULSIS™ trials: two phase 3 trials of nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Med. 2014; 108(7): 1023–1030.