Orphan Diseases: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

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by Wendy Henderson |

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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare and chronic lung disease that causes scarring of the lung tissue which leads to difficulties in breathing and a persistent dry cough. Because it only affects only up to 43 people in every 100,000, it is designated as an “orphan disease.”

Read about six lesser-known symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis here.

The definition of “orphan disease” is explained in this Boehringer Ingelheim Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis video. IPF prevalence is thought to be much higher than the registered 3 million patients worldwide because it is often misdiagnosed.

Read more about the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis here.

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