Question

A 52-year-old man presents with progressive exertional dyspnoea, dry cough and inspiratory crackles at both lung bases. HRCT confirms usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Which pharmacological therapy has been shown to slow functional decline in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

Accepted Answer

Pirfenidone or nintedanib

Answer

High-dose oral prednisolone

Answer

Long-term macrolide antibiotics

Answer

Inhaled corticosteroids only

Answer

No pharmacological treatment has evidence

Practice question

A 52-year-old man presents with progressive exertional dyspnoea, dry cough and inspiratory crackles at both lung bases. HRCT confirms usual interstitial pneumonia pattern. Which pharmacological therapy has been shown to slow functional decline in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?