The tolerability and efficacy of antifibrotic therapy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Results from a real-world study

• Published in: Pulmonary pharmacology & therapeutics 2024-03, Vol.84, p.102287-102287, Article 102287
• Main Authors: Zhao, Ruiming, Xie, Bingbing, Wang, Xin, Zhang, Xinran, Ren, Yanhong, Wang, Chen, Dai, Huaping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adverse event; Antifibrotic treatment; Discontinuation; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Nintedanib; Pirfenidone
• ISSN: 1094-5539; 1522-9629
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2024.102287

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and fatal lung disease lacking effective therapeutics. Treatment with pirfenidone or nintedanib is recommended for patients to delay the progression of their disease. Adverse reactions caused by anti-fibrosis drugs can sometimes interrupt treatment and even change the progression of the disease. This study aimed to investigate the clinical use, adverse reactions, tolerability of pirfenidone and nintedanib in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the efficacy of antifibrotic therapy in a real world. We recruited patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis treated with pirfenidone or nintedanib at China-Japan Friendship Hospital from February 2017 to February 2022. We investigated the medication situation, adverse reactions, tolerability and survival of patients taking medications. A total of 303 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were enrolled in the study. Treatment was divided between 205 patients receiving pirfenidone and 98 patients receiving nintedanib. Baseline data between the two groups were not significantly different. Patients treated with nintedanib had a higher overall discontinuation rate than those treated with pirfenidone (61.22 vs. 32.68 %, p