Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a clinical update.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the commonest interstitial lung disease (ILD) and is characterised by progressive scarring of the lungs. It typically presents in the sixth or seventh decade.1 The prognosis of IPF is poor and is worse than most cancers, with a median survival from diagnosis of 2.5–3.5 years.1 In 2012, over 5000 people died of IPF in the UK accounting for 1% of all deaths and 4.6% of respiratory deaths.2 On average, a general practice of 10 000 patients will see 2–3 new cases every 3 years,3 although this is likely to be an underestimate, contrasting with 500 per 10 000 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The rising incidence and prevalence means that GPs will be pivotal in the early detection and long-term management of patients with IPF.