Nutritional Assessment in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Preliminary studies on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) seem to suggest that nutritional status has an impact on clinical outcomes, as already demonstrated in COPD. However, few data regarding this subject are available for patients with IPF.

Primary aim of this study is to assess the nutritional status of patients diagnosed with mild to moderate IPF at the time of disease diagnosis. To do so, the investigators assess the prevalence of nutritional disorders at baseline through nutritional scores evaluated with specific questionnaires and through the identification of the following metabolic phenotypes (based on those previously applied in COPD): cachexia, sarcopenia, normal nutritional status, obesity, sarcopenic obesity.

Secondary aims of this study are:

• the evaluation of the impact of the introduction of an anti-fibrotic pharmacological agent (pirfenidone or nintedanib) on the nutritional status of patients (modification of metabolic phenotypes and nutritional scores) evaluated at 6 months from the initiation of antifibrotic therapy.
• the assessment of calcium and vitamin D metabolism, by blood sampling, in patients diagnosed with mild to moderate IPF at the time of disease diagnosis and at 6 months from the initiation of antifibrotic therapy.

Inclusion criteria

• age greater than or equal to 18 years;
• diagnosis of IPF according to the ATS / ERS 2011 guidelines with multidisciplinary discussion

Exclusion criteria

• severe renal failure, defined as a GFR (glomerular filtration rate) lower than 30ml / min;
• NYHA class IV;
• severe liver failure, defined as Child-Pugh score class C;
• active solid or haematological neoplasms;
• having already received (currently or in the past) therapy with pirfenidone or nintedanib;
• inability to walk without help;
• need for oxygen therapy at rest;
• participation in other interventional experimental protocols with use of a medicinal product.