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CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) as the name suggests is a progressive disorder
with no known aetiology. It is characterised by the thickening of the alveoli due to scarring
resulting in cough. It is known to primarily occur in older adults over 60 years of age. The
findings of IPF have a known association of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) (Raghu et al.,
2011; Kawano-Dourado & Kairalla, 2013; Wells, 2013). It has been deemed that the
prognosis is generally poor when UIP has been confirmed (King et al., 2001b). The median
survival rate of IPF is 50%, typically around two years after diagnosis (Raghu et al., 2011;
King et al., 2001b).
The effects of IPF are known to be high in male than male wherein the condition
affects patients aged 60. Such prevalence of IPF and its increased over the years are
predominant; however, the cause of such a disease could not be clearly specified
(Navaratnam et al., 2011; Raghu et al., 2006c). Furthermore, the prognosis of the disease is
also poor wherein the mean estimated survival is between 2 and 5 years. It is further evident
from NICE (2013) that the condition has become a focus with the new guidlines set by the
UK towards the diagnosis and management of IPF.
IPF which is a condition difficult to manage worsens even further in the latter stages
of the disease’s progress. Hence it is important for the condition to be diagnosed in the early
stages so as to maximise the outcome potential; however, there are no extensive treatment
methods available which could increase the outcome of the treatment NICE (2013). Patients
with no contraindications require lung transplantation which is the only treatment method for
survival (Christie et al., 2012). However, with the deficiency in donor organs and shortness
of supply of these organs, there is a need to examine the other treatment methods which
would modify the rate of mortality and increase the rate of survival.
The mortality rate for IPF is high due to the lack of effective treatment modalities
available. High efficacy pharmacological interventions have become the need of the hour in
order to effectively treat IPF (Bando et al., 2010; Behr et al., 2009; Demedts et al., 2005;
Homma et al., 2012; Martinez et al., 2014; Tomioka et al., 2005) . The main stay
management which is the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in conjunction with corticosteroids
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