What are the recommended follow-up protocols for patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

Recommended follow-up protocols for patients diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) include:

• Follow-up intervals should be tailored to disease progression: every 3 months or sooner if rapid progression or symptom deterioration occurs, every 6 months or sooner if disease is steadily progressing, or initially every 6 months and then annually if the disease remains stable after 1 year.
• At each follow-up appointment, assess lung function, oxygen therapy needs, and suitability for pulmonary rehabilitation.
• Offer smoking cessation advice to patients who smoke.
• Identify exacerbations and previous respiratory hospital admissions during follow-up.
• Consider referral for lung transplantation assessment in patients without absolute contraindications.
• Evaluate psychosocial needs and consider referral to relevant support or palliative care services as appropriate.
• Assess and manage comorbidities such as anxiety, depression, bronchiectasis, diabetes, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, and pulmonary hypertension.

These follow-up protocols aim to monitor disease progression, optimize supportive care, and timely consideration of advanced therapies such as lung transplantation ¹.