FAQ: IPF & PPF What Sets Their Diagnosis Apart
In this APAPP FAQ, Jessica Glennie, CNP, answers a common question from pulmonary advanced practice providers of what the shared underlying biology of fibrosis is and what are the similarities and key distinctions in how IPF and PPF are diagnosed. Jessica starts by clarifying a frequent point of confusion—idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a specific diagnosis under the interstitial lung disease umbrella, while progressive pulmonary fibrosis is not a diagnosis at all, but a behavior seen in fibrotic ILDs other than IPF. Jessica walks through each pathway: diagnosing IPF requires a usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern on high-resolution CT or biopsy plus a detailed history that excludes drug toxicity, autoimmune disease, and occupational or environmental exposures. Diagnosing PPF applies to patients with an established non-IPF cause—hypersensitivity pneumonitis, silicosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, or drug-induced fibrosis—and requires meeting two of three ATS criteria within the past year: worsening respiratory symptoms, physiologic decline (an FVC drop of ≥5% or DLCO drop of ≥10%), or radiologic progression such as increasing honeycombing and traction bronchiectasis. Tune in for key clinical insights on distinguishing IPF from progressive pulmonary fibrosis and applying the criteria in practice. Register to join us for the 4th Annual APAPP National Conference in New Orleans in 2027. For more expert-driven pulmonary education, visit the Pulm Hub and APAPP ACE app. Send us Fan Mail Claim your 0.5 CME credits for listening to this episode here: https://forms.gle/42yHmF8UpemVhdDJA Visit our website for more APP Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine content and free CMEs www.pulmapp.com Follow us on: Instagram @pulmapps Twitter@pulmapp Facebook @association of pulmonary advance practice providers.