Reliability and Validity of iOS in IPF

Overview

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition where scar tissue (called fibrosis) builds up in the lungs. It usually gets worse over time. Fibrosis causes the lungs to become stiff, and reduces the amount of oxygen that the lungs can take up. People with IPF complain of worsening breathlessness, which limits their day to day activities. Lung function tests are breathing tests that measure how well the lungs are working, and are used by doctors to decide whether to start or stop medicines in people with IPF. However, people with IPF tell us that lung function tests require a lot of effort, can make them cough and feel very short of breath. About 1 in 5 people with IPF are unable to perform lung function results accurately. Impulse oscillometry (iOS) is a new type of breathing test. It uses sound waves to measure the stiffness of the lung. The test is very quick (30 seconds), does not require any effort from the patient, and only requires a patient to breathe in their usual way. iOS has been used successfully in children who are unable to perform normal lung function tests. The investigators will assess whether people with IPF can perform iOS tests accurately and to compare their experiences of having iOS tests with their experience of performing current lung function tests. The investigators will also compare whether there is a relationship between iOS tests and the information gathered from the tests currently used by doctors to measure the impact of IPF (lung function tests, exercise tests, lung scans and questionnaires that measure quality of life).

Conditions

Eligibility