Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a type of lung disease that affects the space between the air sacs in the lung. The lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff, and over time the scarring and stiffness may become more widespread. In turn, the lungs lose their ability to transfer oxygen to the bloodstream, resulting in shortness of breath and vital organs being deprived of the necessary oxygen to survive.
Pulmonary fibrosis can be linked to particular causes, such as environmental exposure, medications, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. In many cases of pulmonary fibrosis, the cause is uncertain or unknown and as such is termed idiopathic.
Unfortunately, there is currently no cure and there are limited treatments available. Medications play an important role in the control of symptoms of this lung disease. The discovery of new and improved medications cannot occur without the participation of people like you in clinical research studies.
Find out if you or a loved one might qualify for our ongoing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) clinical studies by completing our questionnaire.
