Idiopathic lung fibrosis

master's thesis

• Title (croatian): Idiopatska plućna fibroza
• Author: Ivan Lovro Tomac
• Mentor: Marija Gomerčić Palčić (mentor)
• Committee member: Marija Gomerčić Palčić (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Sanja Popović-Grle (član povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Marko Jakopović (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Internal Medicine); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2020-07-17, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Internal Medicine

Abstract

Idiopathic lung fibrosis is a chronic disease affecting the pulmonary interstitium or parenchyma. As such it has signs typical of other interstitial lung diseases such as dyspnea, hypoxia, chronic cough and clubbing of fingers. It typically affects older patients with a history of smoking or exposure to some occupational pollutants as well as patients with a positive family history. Multiple hypotheses are present that would explain this condition, including both genetic factors and environmental factors such as smoking or air pollutants. It is safe to say that this disease is caused by an interplay of various factors and not one single cause. It is a relatively rare disease with a very poor prognosis. Diagnosis is complex and involves a multidisciplinary approach. In addition to proper anamnesis and physical exam other more advanced procedures such as high-resolution computerized tomography imaging. Cryobiopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage are also needed for excluding differentials and for establishing a diagnosis. Important treatment breakthroughs have been made in recent decades owing to newly discovered antifibrotic drugs. These have greatly impacted our treatment procedures for idiopathic lung fibrosis, by helping to prologue life and improve symptoms. Because of this they have injected a newfound optimism into treatment of this difficult condition. Another important consideration in idiopathic lung fibrosis are the various comorbidities associated with this condition. As with most chronic conditions we have numerous comorbidities such as lung cancer, esophageal reflux, heart failure and pulmonary embolism that must be recognized and treated because they can significantly alter the patient’s outcome.

Abstract (croatian)

Idiopatska plućna fibroza je kronična bolest koja zahvaća plućni intersticij ili parenhim. Klinička slika odgovara simptomima karakterističnim za intersticijske bolesti pluća poput dispneje, hipoksemije, kroničnog kašlja i batićastih prstiju. Obično zahvaća starije pacijente koji imaju povijest pušenja ili su izloženi raznim zagađivačima, a dokazana je i genetska predispozicija odnosno može biti prisutna i pozitivna obiteljska povijest. Postoji nekoliko hipoteza o uzroku ove bolesti koje uključuju genetske zajedno s okolišnim faktorima poput pušenja i okolišnih zagađivača. Relativno je rijetka bolest s vrlo lošom prognozom. Postavljanje dijagnoze je vrlo složeni proces koji zahtijeva multidisciplinarni pristup. Potrebna je detaljna anamneza i fizikalni pregled kao i naprednije procedure poput kompjutorizirane tomografije visoke rezolucije. Kriobiopsija i bronhoalveolarna lavaža su također potrebni u pojedinim slučajevima za postavljanje dijagnoze i isključivanje drugih diferencijalnih dijagnoza. Posljednjih desetak godina dostupnošću dvije vrste antifibrotika u liječenju idiopatske plućne fibroze poboljšala se značajno kvaliteta života i smanjila smrtnost pacijenta s navedenom bolešću. Potrebno je naglasiti da treba potvrditi i liječiti moguće komorbiditete kao što su tumori pluća, plućna hipertenzija, srčano zatajenje i plućna embolija jer oni također utječu na tijek bolesti. Njihovo rano prepoznavanje i liječenje pospješuje kvalitetu života bolesnika.

• Keywords: idiopathic; pulmonary; lung; fibrosis; review
• Keywords (croatian): idiopatska; plućna; fibroza; pregled
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:456657
• Study programme: Title: Medicine (in English language); Study programme type: university; Study level: integrated undergraduate and graduate; Academic / professional title: doktor/doktorica medicine (doktor/doktorica medicine)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2021-10-15 10:40:07