Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) can be associated with additional comorbidities (emphysema, lung cancer etc.) through other mechanisms as either a cause or a consequence of several pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases. The incidence of IPF appears to be increasing over time, even when accounting for an aging population and increased use of chest imaging. The major risk factors for IPF are older age and a history of smoking, which influence several pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases.
The comorbidities have a significant impact in IPF depending on their physiologic and symptomatic effect on a background of underlying pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have provided some guidance on the management of these diseases in IPF. Pulmonary comorbidities Emphysema Emphysema frequently coexists with IPF as combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE), a clinical syndrome that is…
