IPFdatabase – A new tool for a correct application of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis guidelines

In 2011 the ATS/ERS/JRS/ALATreleased the new guidelines (GL) for IPF,establishing precise criteria for the diagnosis of this condition. The statement gave a strong recommendation to the multidisciplinary discussion among pulmonologists, radiologists, and pathologists in the evaluation of IPF.The diagnostic algorithm proposed might result not easily applicable in the every-day practice, especially in centres where IPF patients are sporadically seen.Therefore on the basis of these considerations we decided to build the IPFdatabase, a new software to provide a tool for: · A correct and easy application of the GL in the diagnosis of IPF patients accessible to every hospital by a specific software · To give to pneumologist/radiologist/pathologists, not primarily interested in ILD,a simple guide to IPF,reinforcing their adherence to GL in the diagnostic work-up of IPF and encouraging the multi-disciplinary discussion IPFdatabase is web designed, multi-choice software created to be easy, fast, and efficacious for the diagnosis of IPF.In this preliminary presentation of the IPFdatabase, we report demographic,clinical, radiological and pathological data of a group of patients (n=51) in differential diagnosis for IPF (detailed results will be provided).The interobservor variability of the interpretation of HRCT features is a potential problem in making the diagnosis of IPF despite the appropriate clinical setting.We propose an algorithm to standardize the radiologist report and overcome the problem.These need to be validated. Our IPFdatabase is a new tool developed with the hope of facilitating an accurate diagnosis of IPF utilizing the criteria published in the 2011 international guidelines.