The multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a patient case-based review

European Respiratory Review : an Official Journal of the European Respiratory Society
Sara TomassettiVenerino Poletti

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a specific form of chronic, progressively fibrosing interstitial pneumonia that is associated with a significantly worse prognosis than other forms of chronic interstitial pneumonia. An early and accurate diagnosis of IPF is important to enable the initiation of disease-specific therapies, which have the potential to reduce disease progression, and the avoidance of inappropriate and potentially harmful drugs. Establishing an accurate diagnosis of IPF can be challenging. Recent studies and international guidelines advocate the importance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the initial diagnostic assessment of patients with suspected IPF. Typical MDT members include a pulmonologist, a radiologist and a pathologist, with further input from a thoracic surgeon, a rheumatologist, a specialist nurse and an occupational physician where appropriate. Multidisciplinary diagnosis is considered the gold standard because it can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of IPF, avoid unnecessary testing (e.g. lung biopsy), and optimise patient management. Here we highlight the strengths and limitations of the multidisciplinary approach to IPF diagnosis through MDT discussion of two patient cases.

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Citations

Jul 30, 2015·Natural Product Research·Francesco MaioneNicola Mascolo
Aug 17, 2018·The Journal of Rheumatology·Yair LeviDavid Shitrit
Nov 21, 2015·The European Respiratory Journal·Francesco BonellaWim Wuyts
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Jun 4, 2020·Respiratory Investigation·Daniel S GlassAllison B Reiss
Jun 17, 2021·Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology·S OttavianiB Crestani

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