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In patients with chronic fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD), a progressive fibrosing phenotype (PF-ILD) may develop, but information on the frequency and characteristics of this population outside clinical trials is lacking. We assessed the characteristics and outcomes of patients with PF-ILD other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in a real-world, single-centre clinical cohort. The files of all consecutive adult patients with fibrosing ILD (2010–2017) were examined retrospectively for pre-defined criteria of ≥10% fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography and progressive disease during overlapping windows of 2 years. Baseline was defined as the date disease progression was identified. Patients receiving nintedanib or pirfenidone were censored from survival and progression analyses. In total, 1395 patients were screened; 617 had ILD other than IPF or combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, and 168 had progressive fibrosing phenotypes. In 165 evaluable patients, median age was 61 years; 57% were female. Baseline mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 74±22% predicted. Median duration of follow-up was 46.2 months. Annualised FVC decline during the first year was estimated at 136±328 mL using a linear mixed model. Overall survival was 83% at 3 years and 72% at 5 years. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, mortality was significantly associated with relative FVC decline ≥10% in the previous 24 months (p, In a real-world clinical cohort (PROGRESS), progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease was characterised by continued lung function decline. Lung function decline, age and underlying diagnosis subgroup predicted mortality. https://bit.ly/2EB3OpF

Prolidase deficiency is a new genetic cause of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema syndrome in the adulthttp://bit.ly/2QRgqMH

The prevailing view is that exertional dyspnoea in patients with combined idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and emphysema (CPFE) can be largely explained by severe hypoxaemia. However, there is little evidence to support these assumptions.We prospectively contrasted the sensory and physiological responses to exercise in 42 CPFE and 16 IPF patients matched by the severity of exertional hypoxaemia. Emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis were quantified using computed tomography. Inspiratory constraints were assessed in a constant work rate test: capillary blood gases were obtained in a subset of patients.CPFE patients had lower exercise capacity despite less extensive fibrosis compared to IPF (p=0.004 and 0.02, respectively). Exertional dyspnoea was the key limiting symptom in 24 CPFE patients who showed significantly lower transfer factor, arterial carbon dioxide tension and ventilatory efficiency (higher minute ventilation (V′E)/carbon dioxide output (V′CO2) ratio) compared to those with less dyspnoea. However, there were no between-group differences in the likelihood of pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography (p=0.44). High dead space/tidal volume ratio, low capillary carbon dioxide tension emphysema severity (including admixed emphysema) and traction bronchiectasis were related to a highV′E/V′CO2ratio in the more dyspnoeic group.V′E/V′CO2nadir >50 (OR 9.43, 95% CI 5.28–13.6; p=0.0001) and total emphysema extent >15% (2.25, 1.28–3.54; p=0.01) predicted a high dyspnoea burden associated with severely reduced exercise capacity in CPFEContrary to current understanding, hypoxaemiaper seis not the main determinant of exertional dyspnoea in CPFE. Poor ventilatory efficiency due to increased “wasted” ventilation in emphysematous areas and hyperventilation holds a key mechanistic role that deserves therapeutic attention.

To the Editor: Herein, we present the first report of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) in an adult patient who was compound heterozygous for mutations of the ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 3 gene ( ABCA3 , MIM 601615). A 41-year-old nonsmoking male presented with dyspnoea on mild exertion. The patient’s medical history indicated neonatal respiratory distress, gastro-oesophageal reflux and pneumonia 8 years previously that resolved with antibiotics. His physical examination revealed a mild pectus excavatum, finger clubbing and bilateral basal crackles. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest showed voluminous emphysema in the upper zones of the lungs associated with honeycomb fibrosis and ground-glass opacity in lower lobes, predominating in left lung (fig. 1). The bronchoalveolar lavage differential cell count was 67% macrophages, 22% neutrophils and 8% lymphocytes. Pulmonary function tests showed: total lung capacity of 75%, vital capacity (VC) of 50%, residual volume of 134%; forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 49%, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide of 38% predicted, FEV1/VC of 74%, and arterial oxygen tension at room air was 96 mmHg. During a 6-min walk test the peripheral oxygen saturation decreased from 96% at rest to 90% after 630 m (80% of predicted value). A lung biopsy was not performed. …

The composite physiologic index (CPI) was derived to represent the extent of fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), adjusting for emphysema in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We hypothesised that longitudinal change in CPI would better predict mortality than forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC) or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(L,CO)) in all patients with IPF, and especially in those with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE). Cox proportional hazard models were performed on pulmonary function data from IPF patients at baseline (n = 321), 6 months (n = 211) and 12 months (n = 144). Presence of CPFE was determined by HRCT. A five-point increase in CPI over 12 months predicted subsequent mortality (HR 2.1, p = 0.004). At 12 months, a 10% relative decline in FVC, a 15% relative decline in D(L,CO) or an absolute increase in CPI of five points all discriminated median survival by 2.1 to 2.2 yrs versus patients with lesser change. Half our cohort had CPFE. In patients with moderate/severe emphysema, only a 10% decline in FEV(1) predicted mortality (HR 3.7, p = 0.046). In IPF, a five-point increase in CPI over 12 months predicts mortality similarly to relative declines of 10% in FVC or 15% in D(L,CO). For CPFE patients, change in FEV(1) was the best predictor of mortality.

The syndrome resulting from combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema has not been comprehensively described. The current authors conducted a retrospective study of 61 patients with both emphysema of the upper zones and diffuse parenchymal lung disease with fibrosis of the lower zones of the lungs on chest computed tomography. Patients (all smokers) included 60 males and one female, with a mean age of 65 yrs. Dyspnoea on exertion was present in all patients. Basal crackles were found in 87% and finger clubbing in 43%. Pulmonary function tests were as follows (mean ± SD): total lung capacity 88% ± 17, forced vital capacity (FVC) 88% ± 18, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 80% ± 21 (% predicted), FEV1/FVC 69% ± 13, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity of the lung 37% ± 16 (% predicted), carbon monoxide transfer coefficient 46% ± 19. Pulmonary hypertension was present in 47% of patients at diagnosis, and 55% during follow-up. Patients were followed for a mean of 2.1 ± 2.8 yrs from diagnosis. Survival was 87.5% at 2 yrs and 54.6% at 5 yrs, with a median of 6.1 yrs. The presence of pulmonary hypertension at diagnosis was a critical determinant of prognosis. The authors hereby individualise the computer tomography-defined syndrome of combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema characterised by subnormal spirometry, severe impairment of gas exchange, high prevalence of pulmonary hypertension, and poor survival. Copyright©ERS Journals Ltd 2005.

To the Editors: Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) is a necrotising multiorgan vasculitis associated with a variety of circulating autoantibodies, such as anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCAs) against myeloperoxidase (MPO) [1]. Typical and most common pulmonary involvement comprises of alveolar haemorrhage secondary to pulmonary capillaritis as well as interstitial lung fibrosis [2] and progressive obstructive lung disease [1, 3, 4]. The combination of pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) is a recently defined syndrome, encompassing a distinct radiology, revealing both upper-lobe emphysema and lower-lobe fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest, as well as lung function profile, with apparently preserved lung volumes contrasting with disproportionally impaired gas exchange, as assessed by reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide [5, 6]. CPFE has been recently described in the context of connective tissue diseases [7]. Nevertheless, it is still debatable whether CPFE represents a distinct syndrome or it is just a phenotype of pulmonary fibrosis with coincidental emphysema. Here, we describe for the first time, in a male patient, a novel type of pulmonary manifestation of MPA, the combination of pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. In 2008, an 80-yr-old Greek-Caucasian male, heavy ex-smoker (80 pack-yrs), ex-farmer and coal worker with a history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, based …

Patients with CPFE have the same prognosis as those with IPF, despite having generally less extensive fibrosishttp://ow.ly/hxSe30c43um

The combination of pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) was first described in 1990 by Wiggins et al. 1. Subsequent case studies further described what are now recognised as hallmarks of the syndrome: significant dyspnoea, a predilection for the disease among male smokers, normal or near normal lung volumes resulting from the opposing effects of hyperinflation and fibrosis, and a significantly reduced diffusing capacity 2–4. More recent work has demonstrated that significant pulmonary hypertension is also common in patients with CPFE and associated with shortened survival 5–7. However, these studies relied on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) without confirmation by right heart catheterisation (RHC) to diagnose pulmonary hypertension, an approach that may have important limitations 8, 9. In this issue of the European Respiratory Journal , Cottin et al. 10 present the results of a retrospective, multicentre cohort study of patients with CPFE and pulmonary hypertension confirmed by RHC. The study cohort was derived from a population of patients meeting diagnostic criteria for CPFE who were reported to a registry of orphan diseases and who subsequently underwent annual TTE to assess for the development of pulmonary hypertension. Patients were referred for RHC by their treating physicians guided by the TTE results. Those with a mean pulmonary artery pressure ( P pa) >25 mmHg, a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 240 dyn·s·cm−5 were included in the analysis. The patient cohort had a median follow-up after RHC of 8 months. This study not only confirms many of the clinical characteristics of CPFE described in prior studies but also …

To the Editors: In the very interesting article concerning the clinical syndrome resulting from combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) published in the European Respiratory Journal , Cottin et al . 1 speculated that both emphysema and fibrosis might be related to a common environmental trigger and/or genetic factor, with tobacco exposure playing a central role. Here, we report our clinical experience of the same syndrome in order to emphasise the possible role of environmental …