Fibrosis File
New Research News
Australian researchers looked at out- comes for 61 individuals with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 22 with asbestosis, 23 with connective tissue disease-related interstitial lung disease (ILD) and 36 with other forms of fibrosis. The people were randomized to either eight weeks of super- vised exercise or usual care. Results showed exercise training significantly increased their ability to perform a six minute walk test and improved their health-related quality of life.
Researchers in Finland have identified a protein called AMPK as a possible new target for therapies aimed to treat pulmo- nary fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases.
Raising Awareness of IPF
Former New York Yankees outfielder, Bernie Williams, is partnering with Boeh- ringer Ingelheim to raise awareness of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a lung disease his father lived with for many years before his death in 2001.
Williams is teaming up with the Breath- less campaign, BreathlessIPF.com, which seeks to inform and prompt people who think they may have the disease to get a checkup – and diagnosis – so that treat- ment, if needed, could begin early. The campaign’s website features videos and educational resources that can be shared through Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels.
Registration is now open for the Pulmo- nary Fibrosis Foundation’s annual Summit that will be held in Nashville, TN, from November 9-11, 2017.
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation organizes the annual summits to improve pulmonary fibrosis education and aware- ness and identify new treatment approach- es. This year’s meeting will focus on new research on the disease.
Those attending will include patients including transplant recipients; family members; caregivers; medical professionals; researchers; and pharmaceutical industry. For the first time ever, the summit will include sessions dedicated to people newly diagnosed and family members, those who have been living with pulmonary fibrosis, those who are lung transplant recipients, and those who have lost a loved one to the chronic respiratory disease.
You will also learn about the genet- ics of pulmonary fibrosis, the promise of genetic-based and personalized approaches to treatment, stem cell-based therapies, symptom management, tips on living with oxygen therapy, and understanding the research and clinical-trial processes.
Sessions will include how to maximize the impact of current pulmonary fibrosis therapies, how to get the most out of a doctor visit, and how to deal with caregiver burnout as well as the financial ramifica- tions of pulmonary fibrosis, such as Medi- care/Medicaid coverage, other insurance issues, and estate planning.
You can find out more and register for the meeting at pffsummit.or