Extract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an irreversibly progressive diffuse lung disease characterised by a usual interstitial pneumonia pattern (UIP). IPF presents with an ominous prognosis with a median survival of around 5 years [1]. The development of an acute exacerbation (AE), histologically diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) upon UIP, represents the most devastating of its complications and leads to death the majority of patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) [2–4]. Viral infections in the setting of an altered host lung microbiome are likely important triggers of IPF-AE's and subsequent ARDS [4, 5].
Abstract
During the lockdown, IPF patients experienced lower than expected COVID-19 suggesting that simple measures for the winter months, such as face masking, clean hands, physical distancing could be adopted as promising advances in non-pharmacological therapy.
Footnotes
Author's contributions: SAP conceived of the study, had major contribution to the analysis and interpretation of data and wrote with EDM the manuscript, DB had major contribution to the acquisition and interpretation of data for the work and revised critically this work for important intellectual content, KM had major contribution in the acquisition and interpretation of data for the work and revised critically this work for important intellectual content, LK participated in the design of the study and had major contribution to the acquisition, critical analysis and interpretation of data for the work, AIP performed the statistical analysis of the data, contributed substantially to the interpretation of data for the work and drafted parts of the manuscript and the figures, VT, AT, EF, DP, ZD, PS, AG, ICP, AH, AX, IK, IPT, SL had major contribution to the acquisition and analysis of data and were responsible for the integrity of data in their centers, RB, GK, CR, TK, ID, PK, AB, EV, KL, EMA, MB, EB, KK,MM had significant contribution to the acquisition and critical analysis of data, AK had substantial contribution to the analysis and interpretation of data and revised critically this work for important intellectual content, KMA participated at the conception and design of the study, had substantial contribution to the acquisition and analysis of data and was responsible for the integrity of data in her center, EDM had major contribution to the concept and design of the study, to the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data, has access to all data, supervised the accuracy and integrity of any part of the work and wrote with SAP the manuscript. All authors read and approved of the final version of the submitted publication.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Papiris has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bouros has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Markopoulou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Kolilekas has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Papaioannou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Tzilas has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr Tzouvelekis A has received advisory fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Hoffmann La Roche, Chiesi Hellas and Elpen Pharma outside of the submitted work
Conflict of interest: Dr. Fouka has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Papakosta has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Daniil has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Steiropoulos has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Gogali has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Papanikolaou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Xyfteri has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Haritou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Korbila has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Tomos has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Loukides has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bellelli has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Kounti has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Rabiadou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Karampitsakos has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Dimeas has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Kirgou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Bompoki has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Vasarmidi has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Loverdos has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Antonogiannaki has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Blizou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. E. Bouros has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Kagouridis has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Maniati has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Karakatsani has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Antoniou has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Manali has nothing to disclose.
- Received August 12, 2020.
- Accepted November 8, 2020.
- Copyright ©ERS 2020
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