Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of interstitial lung disease in which scarring and thickening of the lung tissue occurs due to unknown causes. In turn, this fibrosis reduces the ability of alveoli to transport oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream, and results in symptoms such as dyspnea, chronic dry cough, fatigue, and weight loss. While lung function and capacity steadily decline in most IPF patients, some experience a sudden, rapid increase in irreversible disease progression called acute exacerbation. The prognosis of patients with IPF remains poor as those who are ineligible for lung transplantation have few effective treatment options.

This Datamonitor Healthcare Disease report contains an Epidemiology module.