Gene Expression Patterns Predict Rapid Decline in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Study Shows

PITTSBURGH, May 30 -- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease typically characterized by the slow but progressive onset of shortness of breath or cough. Most patients live about five years after diagnosis. However, according to a new study being published today in the online journal PLoS ONE, a subset of patients with a specific genetic profile has a much more rapid progression to complete pulmonary failure and death without a lung transplant.