Ultrasound Applicability in the Assessment of Patients With Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease

Launched by ODENSE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Feb 19, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This is a single-center, real-life study at Odense University Hospital in Denmark. Researchers want to see if chest ultrasound can help identify and monitor fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (F-ILD), which include idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and related progressive lung scarring conditions. The study will enroll adults aged 18 and older who have IPF or a progressive fibrosing ILD diagnosed by a multidisciplinary team and who can consent and complete follow-up. They plan to include up to about 117 participants over a 12-month period.

Participants will have three visits: baseline, about 6 months, and about 12 months. At each visit they will undergo lung function tests, a chest ultrasound, and an assessment of symptoms and physical function. CT scans of the chest (HRCT) will be done at baseline and again after 12 months to compare with ultrasound findings. The goal is to see whether ultrasound measures—such as B-lines, pleural changes, diaphragm movement, and a technique called lung surface wave elastography—can identify fibrosis and track its progression over time, potentially helping to monitor disease with less radiation exposure than repeated CT scans. This is an observational study (no new treatment), and participation involves follow-up and imaging with safety and privacy protections in place.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients must be over 18 years.
• • Diagnosis of IPF obtained on a multidisciplinary team conference .
• • Diagnosis of PPF according to 2022 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT Clinical Practice Guideline.
• • Ability for subject to comply with the requirements of the study.
• • Informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients not willing to or able to give informed consent.
• • Acute exacerbation in F-ILD \< 4 weeks.
• • Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers