A study carried out by Boehringer Ingelheim details patient experiences with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
This study was carried out over 500 people who had been diagnosed with the condition. According to the company, approximately three million people are affected by IPF.
The primary symptom of this condition is breathlessness due to its causing tissue within the lungs to scar and become stiff. As a result, patients with this condition find difficulty performing otherwise common tasks. The survey indicates that approximately 29 percent of respondents felt frustration due to the condition and its limiting characteristics.
“This thought-provoking research echoes what my patients talk to me about when we discuss life with IPF,” Toby Maher, consultant respiratory physician with Royal Brompton Hospital, said. “Thankfully, our understanding of the treatment of IPF has moved forward a lot in the last few years. As physicians, we can help address the negative emotions many patients experience at diagnosis and improve how they see their future with the disease -- so they feel positive about starting effective treatment.”
The company reports that approximately 42 percent of respondents found patient advocacy groups to be beneficial for emotional and educational reasons. This study was conducted in line with Rare Disease Day, an event that raises awareness for lesser-known diseases and conditions and offers solidarity to patients.
