Lifestyle associated diseases and risk of pulmonary hypertension in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease of unknown etiology. It is possible that lifestyle-related diseases may affect either the initiation or progression of IPF. Comprehensive data are lacking from Egypt. The aim of the study was to investigate the following hypothesis that lifestyle-related diseases may increase the risk of development of IPF; and augment the risk of progression and development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in IPF patients.Study designA case approach prospective study.MethodsA total of 92 patients with IPF were included in the study. Sixty-seven were females and 25 cases were males, their age ranged from 14 to 82 years. Detailed medical history, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiological findings, cardiac and pulmonary assessments were recorded and compared with the diagnostic criteria for lifestyle-related diseases.ResultsThe adjusted OR of GERD was 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13–1.71), the adjusted OR for DM was 0.12 (95% CI, 0.03–0.56) and the adjusted OR for hyperlipidemia was 0.30 (95% CI, 0.07–1.27). There were no differences between the clinical characteristics of patients with IPF and PH and patients with IPF without PH that could be related to life style related diseases.ConclusionLifestyle related diseases may be a risk factor for IPF. IPF patients are more often slightly younger, obese and females. However, there was no prevalence of any of those diseases in IPF patients with PH as PH is considered a prognostic indicator of IPF.