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Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases in the Elderly

  • Pulmonology and Respiratory Care (D Breen, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Geriatrics Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders with varying clinical, physiologic, radiographic and pathologic presentations. Age of onset varies considerably. Interstitial lung abnormalities, and in particular, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), occur much more commonly in older persons. In recent years, advances have been made in understanding IPF pathogenesis and changes have occurred in relation to how IPF is managed.

Recent Findings

The cause of IPF remains unclear. It is thought that a non-specific injury in susceptible individuals triggers a progressive fibrotic response. Genetic susceptibility is increasingly recognised. Multidisciplinary team input is essential for making a diagnosis. Although, originally thought to be an inflammatory process, it has been shown that anti-inflammatory therapies may, in fact, be harmful to the patient. Two anti-fibrotic therapies (pirfenidone and nintedanib) are now available. There is a better recognition of prognosis and improved symptom control and management of end of life issues.

Summary

As life expectancy increases, further studies are necessary to assess the impact and natural history of interstitial lung diseases in the elderly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Newcastle Road, Galway, Ireland

    Sinead M. Walsh & Anthony W. O’Regan

  2. School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland

    Sinead M. Walsh & Anthony W. O’Regan

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  1. Sinead M. Walsh
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  2. Anthony W. O’Regan
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Correspondence to Anthony W. O’Regan.

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Sinead Walsh and Anthony O’Regan declare no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pulmonology and Respiratory Care

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Walsh, S.M., O’Regan, A.W. Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Diseases in the Elderly. Curr Geri Rep 7, 174–180 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0249-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0249-x

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