Patients with AE-IPF may experience an acute deterioration in respiratory function, often leading to hospital admission. Supportive care and management of symptoms, most notably supplemental oxygen, to relieve hypoxemia and alleviate symptoms of shortness of breath and cough are needed for all patients with an AE-IPF. Many patients with AE-IPF are also treated with corticosteroids; however, their benefit is unclear. The use of corticosteroids in patients admitted to the hospital with AE-IPF has not been shown to improve outcomes and may contribute to reduced survival following an exacerbation.
The use of mechanical ventilation in patients with AE-IPF has been shown to carry a poor prognosis. Studies have demonstrated an overall mortality of 49% in patients with a primary diagnosis of IPF.
Antibiotics are routinely used in AE-IPF, even if no underlying infection is found. Infection has been identified as a trigger for AE-IPF in 10%-30% of patients.
Learn more about radiographic findings in IPF.
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Cite this: Guy W. Soo Hoo, Zab Mosenifar. Fast Five Quiz: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment - Medscape - Dec 13, 2022.
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