Impact of IPF Patient Support Program in Quality of Life

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrotic (IPF) patients present progressive worsening in quality of life (QoL) despite of anti-fibrotic medication. QoL includes different domains that require specific therapeutic approach. With the use of specific QoL questionnaires the impact of any integral patient support program (iPSP) may be measured. Methods: A home iPSP, which includes a trained nurse and physiotherapist that perform disease and treatment education, monitoring, and physiotherapy, is being conducted for 12 months, including the first month 4 visits, and then, 1 visit per month. Recruitment period was 6 months and all patients included from 22 sites received nintedanib (initiated at least one month later and not for more than 2 years). QoL (K-BILD) is measured at time 0,6 and 12 months. Results: In line with sample size calculation, a total of 90 patients have been recruited. Currently, 85 have completed the 6th-month follow-up visit. 83 could be analyzed (mean age 69.8, 75% males, 71% ex-smokers). 74% presented some comorbidity, cardiovascular disease was the most prevalent. Initial (V0) K-BILD mean value was 78. A significant improvement of QoL was observed at visit 6 (p=0.029). The best result was observed in the activity and dyspnea domain (p=0.002), followed by psychological (p=0.068) and symptoms domain (p=0.939). Improvement in these values was greater in those male patients older than 65 y. and in those who started the iPSP between 1 and 6 months after initiating nintedanib. Conclusion: iPSP conducted by trained nurses and physiotherapists, in treated IPF patients, improves their QoL especially in activity and psychological scores. The multidisciplinary managment is beneficial in these patients. Supported by Boehringer Ing