Clinical Genetics and Screening for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Background:

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common and severe form of interstitial lung disease. Between 2% and 20% of patients with IPF have a family history of the disease, which is considered the strongest risk factor. Therefore, genetic testing has been increasingly considered as a potential tool to identify patients at risk of developing IPF.

According to some studies, genetic testing (particularly of MUC5B and TERT mutations) could be useful to rapidly identify unidentified and/or asymptomatic individuals (in families as well as in the general population) who have interstitial lung anomalies (ILA) that may indicate a initial stage of pulmonary fibrosis. Finding efficient screening methods and associated targeted treatments for IPF may be essential to improving the prognosis and quality of life of those suffering from this disease.

Objectives of the study:

The study involves two populations of study subjects:

* patients with FPF and sporadic IPF * first-degree relatives of patients with FPF and sporadic IPF (biological relatives, not spouses)

The primary objective is to determine the prevalence rates of interstitial lung abnormalities in at-risk relatives of patient with IPF and FPF.

Study design:

Multicenter, cross-sectional study without drug and without device conducted in two major Italian tertiary referral hospitals.

The entire project is expected to last 24 months.