IPF Negatively Affects Patients’ Quality of Life, Review Study Finds

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) negatively affects a person’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL), especially their physical health, a review study suggests. Patients’ age and disease severity also were found to have an impact on HRQoL. The study, “Health-related quality of life of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a…

Respiratory, Emotional Symptoms May Decrease Quality of Life in IPF Patients

A decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is mainly associated with respiratory and emotional symptoms, a study shows. Routine assessment of these symptoms is important, as they may be related to other ones affecting HRQoL, researchers say. The study, “…

Finnish IPF Study Suggests Dyspnea Scale to Identify Patients Needing Palliative Care

Chest pain may be a neglected symptom of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), finds a Finnish study that also suggests using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea (shortness of breath) scale to identify IPF patients needing palliative care. The study, “mMRC dyspnoea scale indicates impaired quality…

Pulmonary Rehab Should Be Among ‘First Line’ Therapies for IPF and Other Lung Diseases, Study Argues

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs can significantly improve exercise ability, breathing, and overall quality of life in patients with pulmonary diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and should be considered as “a first line therapy” for these people, researchers report. Indeed, the study “Effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with…