Pulmonary fibrosis

Chronic interstitial lung disease characterized by progressive fibrosis of the pulmonary parenchyma, causing reduced lung compliance, impaired gas exchange, restrictive ventilatory impairment, exertional dyspnea, and hypoxemia.

Causes

• Idiopathic

• Environmental and occupational causes

  • Asbestosis

  • Silicosis

  • Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis

  • Other occupational dust exposures

• Autoimmune and connective tissue diseases

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

  • Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma)

• Medications

  • Amiodarone

  • Nitrofurantoin

  • Methotrexate

• Radiotherapy-induced lung fibrosis

• Hypersensitivity and allergic causes

  • Mold exposure

  • Bacterial antigens

  • Bird feather exposure

  • Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis

• Cigarette smoking

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with microaspiration