Relationship between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic aspiration

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a diffuse fibrotic lung disease of unknown etiology with no effective treatment. Emerging data support a role for chronic aspiration in the natural history of IPF. However, the precise relationship between chronic aspiration and IPF remains unknown.Gastroesophageal reflux, a presumed risk factor for aspiration, has been strongly associated with IPF with an estimated prevalence of up to 90%. This review aims to describe the relationship between chronic aspiration and IPF by laying out the clinical and biologic rationale for this relationship and exploring the scientific evidence available. Key words: Etiology;  Gastroesophageal reflux;  Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;  Respiratory aspiration