Medical experts focus on pulmonary hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Medical professionals and researchers are focusing on the management and data collection of rare lung conditions, specifically pulmonary hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the pressure in the pulmonary arteries exceeds 20 mmHg at rest, causing the arteries to narrow or stiffen. This condition forces the right ventricle of the heart to work harder, often leading to symptoms such as exertional dyspnea, chronic fatigue, and chest pain. Early recognition is critical to prevent progression toward right heart failure.

Regarding idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a rare and progressive disease, the fourth national Fimarp congress was held at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. To improve diagnosis and treatment, a new Italian Registry for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is being established at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, coordinated by the National Center for Rare Diseases. This registry aims to collect structured clinical data to better understand the natural history of the disease. Current data from the national rare disease registry shows 3,517 diagnoses of IPF in Italy between 2017 and 2023, with an average diagnosis age of approximately 70 years.