Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients in Poland – preliminary cohort analysis of EMPIRE registry

Epidemiological data on IPF patients in Poland is scarce. There is no national registry of IPF cases. Facing the possibility of antifibrotic treatment opportunities, knowledge of the demografic and clinical features of IPF patients is crucial. Aim: The aim of this study is to collect demografic and clinical data on IPF cases in Poland in order to address epidemiological, diagnostic and treatment issues. Results: In 2015 107 Polish patients with IPF were reported to the EMPIRE registry for Eastern and Central European countries, 74.8% were male (vs. 69% in the whole registry). Median age at diagnosis was 65.5 years (vs. 66.8), median body mass index (BMI) – 28 (vs. 28), median duration of symptoms before diagnosis – 12 months (vs. 14). 69.2% of patients were smokers (vs. 56.8%). 27.6% received pharmacological treatment , of which 43% were treated with corticosteroids and 2 people with pirfenidone. Median FVC at the time of diagnosis was 88% pred. (vs. 76% in the whole registry), median DLCO value – 47% pred. (vs. 46%) and median 6 – minute walk distance (6MWD) – 425 m. Most frequent comorbidity were arterial hypertension, ischeamic heart disease, diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia. Conclusions: Polish patients did not differ from the others regarding age at diagnosis, BMI, DLCO% pred., 6MWD and comorbidities, they had slightly higher FVC% pred. The percentage of smokers was higher among Polish patients. Only few subjects received antifibrotic treatment in contrast to other countries – it will probably change soon due to new reimbursement policy. We present preliminary data – in 2016 further 150 patients were included and pooled data will be ready in the nearest future.