RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a patient case-based review
JF European Respiratory Review
JO EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 69
OP 77
DO 10.1183/09059180.00011714
VO 24
IS 135
A1 Sara Tomassetti
A1 Sara Piciucchi
A1 Paola Tantalocco
A1 Alessandra Dubini
A1 Venerino Poletti
YR 2015
UL http://err.ersjournals.com/content/24/135/69.abstract
AB Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a specific form of chronic, progressively fibrosing interstitial pneumonia that is associated with a significantly worse prognosis than other forms of chronic interstitial pneumonia. An early and accurate diagnosis of IPF is important to enable the initiation of disease-specific therapies, which have the potential to reduce disease progression, and the avoidance of inappropriate and potentially harmful drugs. Establishing an accurate diagnosis of IPF can be challenging. Recent studies and international guidelines advocate the importance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the initial diagnostic assessment of patients with suspected IPF. Typical MDT members include a pulmonologist, a radiologist and a pathologist, with further input from a thoracic surgeon, a rheumatologist, a specialist nurse and an occupational physician where appropriate. Multidisciplinary diagnosis is considered the gold standard because it can improve the accuracy of diagnosis of IPF, avoid unnecessary testing (e.g. lung biopsy), and optimise patient management. Here we highlight the strengths and limitations of the multidisciplinary approach to IPF diagnosis through MDT discussion of two patient cases. The strengths and limitations of IPF management by a multidisciplinary team are highlighted in two patient cases http://ow.ly/H04Xe