Donald Zoz, MD, Director and Senior Clinical Program Leader for Pulmonary Fibrosis at Boehringer Ingelheim provides an overview of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and how to diagnose this rare condition.
IPF is a chronic, progressive, fibrosing lung disease with few treatment options and a poor prognosis. Common symptoms of IPF include shortness of breath and difficulty performing daily activities, such as walking and talking.
As Dr. Zoz explains, IPF is diagnosed based on the symptoms present as well as variety of tests, that may include computer tomography (CT) scans, pulmonary function tests, blood tests, and a lung biosy. Due to the vague symptoms seen early in the development of this progressive disease, diagnostic delays can occur.
Currently, there is no pharmacological cure for IPF with neither of the approved two therapies demonstrating an ability to stop the progression of the disease. Boehringer Ingelheim is currently testing BI 1015550, a phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) inhibitor, to treat patients with IPF.
To learn more about IPF and other rare lung disease, visit checkrare.com/diseases/lung-diseases/