Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Case Report and Clinical, Histopathologic and Epidemiologic Attributes

67 Background --Interstitial lung disease are rare in general, and in our setting, we seldom see cases or we seldom misdiagnosed cases of interstitial lung disease. These are the basic factors affecting the clinical decision making in interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Several factors affect our clinical decisions these includes a lack of understanding of the disease itself as well as of its diagnosis and treatment Case --We present a case of a 50 year old Filipina who presented with difficulty of breathing and chronic cough for 1 year. Series of Chest X rays showed recurrent pneumonic infiltrates with progressive reticulohazed densities bilateral lung fields. Chest CT scan showed widespread ground glass opacities with persistent reticulohazed densities consistent with Interstitial Lung Disease. Pulmonary Function test confirms a restrictive type of pulmonary disease. Ruling out other causes of Interstitial Lung Disease our patient was diagnosed as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. She was managed with corticosteroids and Azathioprine. Conclusion --The diagnosis of the different interstitial disease is challenging and is based on a complete and thorough history, clinical symptomatology and diagnostic work ups. However, existing therapies for IPF provides only marginal benefit, and the mean survival ranges from 3.2 to 5 years after diagnosis. Phil Heart Center J 2008; 14(1):67-75.