Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2018 | Research article
Pirfenidone improves survival in IPF: results from a real-life study
Authors:
George A. Margaritopoulos, Athina Trachalaki, Athol U. Wells, Eirini Vasarmidi, Eleni Bibaki, George Papastratigakis, Stathis Detorakis, Nikos Tzanakis, Katerina M. Antoniou
Published in:
BMC Pulmonary Medicine
|
Issue 1/2018
Login to get access
Abstract
Background
Pirfenidone is an antifibrotic compound approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We present our real-world experience in terms of Pirfenidone’s effect on mortality and adverse events profile outside the restrictions of a clinical trial.
Methods
This is a retrospective observational intention to treat study of 82 consecutive IPF patients (UHH cohort).
Results
We observed a high 3-years survival rate of 73% without excluding patients who discontinued treatment for different reasons. The survival was compared to the survival of an IPF cohort from a tertiary referral center (RBH cohort). After exclusion of severe cases (DLco< 30%), in unadjusted analysis, the survival in the UHH cohort was better than in the RBH cohort (HR:0.32, 95% CI: 0.19–0.53, p < 0.0001). After adjustment for age, gender and FVC, the survival remained higher in the UHH cohort (HR:0.28, 95% CI: 0.16–0.48, p < 0.0001). We observed a similar safety profile compared to previously published data and a lower rate of drug discontinuation due to photosensitivity reactions. Conclusion: Pirfenidone provides a survival benefit in a real-life IPF cohort compared to previously used medications. Counselling patients and proactively managing possible adverse effects can reduce the necessity to discontinue pirfenidone.