Current diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a survey of academic physicians.

Little is known about practice patterns regarding the diagnosis and management of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This study attempts to define the practice patterns of academic pulmonologists caring for patients with IPF. Academic pulmonologists in the United States were surveyed electronically. Completed surveys were received from 272 respondents (representing approximately 10% of academic pulmonologists). The majority agreed that high-resolution computed tomography can establish the diagnosis of IPF, and that surgical lung biopsy is indicated when the diagnosis remains unclear. Bronchoscopy is little utilized. Most respondents treat patients with medications, but there is no consensus regarding treatment regimen. These results suggest there is general consensus regarding the approach to diagnosis, but that there is no consensus about medical management in IPF.