PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Coralynn Sack AU - Ganesh Raghu TI - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: unmasking cryptogenic environmental factors AID - 10.1183/13993003.01699-2018 DP - 2019 Feb 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 1801699 VI - 53 IP - 2 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/53/2/1801699.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/53/2/1801699.full SO - Eur Respir J2019 Feb 01; 53 AB - Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease of unknown origin that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In this perspective, we briefly review the current understanding of the pathophysiology of IPF and the importance of environmental triggers as a precipitant of disease. We discuss occult intrinsic and extrinsic environmental factors that affect the lung microenvironment and may contribute to the development and progression of disease. The clinical implications of this framework need to be further elucidated, because prompt identification and elimination of occult exposures may represent a novel treatment modality.Occult environmental exposures are important factors in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Research is needed to determine if eliminating these exposures prevents onset and/or disease progression in genetically susceptible persons. http://ow.ly/agd830mNGVU