Abstract
Background
IPF is a progressive condition that carries a prognosis worse than many cancers. Local mortality rates attributed to pulmonary fibrosis were noted to be higher than national average
Aims
We sought to determine accuracy of deaths attributed to pulmonary fibrosis
Methods
Retrospective analysis of clinical, radiological and pathological data of cases with “Pulmonary Fibrosis” registered on death certificates over a 24 month period (01/04/2010 - 01/04/2012). All cases with “Primary” (main) or “Secondary”(contributing significantly) cause of death were reviewed by a respiratory physician and a radiologist with special interest in Interstitial Lung Disease
Results
Of 31 patients with "Pulmonary Fibrosis" registered as a cause of death, 18 (58%) had IPF as a primary and 13 (48%) had “pulmonary fibrosis (unspecified) as a secondary cause. On review only 14/18 (78%) with primary cause and 7/13 (53%) with secondary cause had any evidence of fibrotic lung disease (IPF or other). Overall, 10/31 (33%) did NOT have sufficient evidence for a diagnosis of any fibrotic lung disease. Of these only 3 /10 (30%) were seen by a respiratory physician
Conclusions
In a third of our patients, pulmonary fibrosis is a “loosely “used term on death certificates without any evidence of fibrotic lung disease. This is most likely in cases where respiratory physicians are not involved. All cases of deaths in patients with pulmonary fibrosis are to be discussed with a respiratory physician at our trust to ensure accurate certification.
- © 2013 ERS