Patient Reported Experiences and Delays During the Diagnostic Pathway for Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Multinational European Survey.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Pulmonary fibrosis includes a spectrum of diseases and is incurable. There is a variation in disease course, but it is often progressive leading to increased breathlessness, impaired quality of life, and decreased life expectancy. Detection of pulmonary fibrosis is challenging, which contributes to considerable delays in diagnosis and treatment. More knowledge about the diagnostic journey from patients' perspective is needed to improve the diagnostic pathway. The aims of this study were to evaluate the time to diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, identify potential reasons for delays, and document patients emotions. Methods: Members of European patient organisations, with a self-reported diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, were invited to participate in an online surve

SUBMITTER: van der Sar IG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8371687 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature