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Reviews

Air pollution and respiratory diseases – a problematic risk factor

Florin Mihălţan, Oana Deleanu, Roxana Nemeș, Ruxandra Ulmeanu
Air pollution and respiratory diseases – a problematic risk factor
Pollution was a neglected factor for years in all the
research that took in the viewfinder was examined in
the risk factors in of respiratory diseases. Considering
the concerns of politicians, scientists, doctors, which
have intensified upgraded especially after the last
climate "summit", "summit" climatological we found
it necessary to have a review of the effects of pollution,
pathogenic mechanisms of interaction, and some
diseases strongly influenced by pollutants such as COPD,
asthma, bronchialand bronchial and lung cancer.
Keywords: air pollution, respiratory diseases, risk factor

New treatments in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Irina Strâmbu
New treatments in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic fibrotic pulmonary disease of unknown origin, with an unfavourable prognosis, leading to death by respiratory failure in most patients within 3-5 years ofdiagnosis. Several drugs were studied for the treatment of this disease, and most of them were not able to stop the relentless evolution of the disease (warfarin, corticosteroids in combination with azathioprine, N-acetylcysteine, ambrisentan, bosentan, sildenafil, antiacids). Two novel drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, proved effective in reducing lung function decline, improving the patient’s quality of life, and increasing the patient’s probability of survival. These drugs were approved by international health authorities for use in the treatment of IPF patients. The paper refers also to the status of IPF patients in Romania, where epidemiological data are not known, and where the disease is most likely severely underdiagnosed. Patients are typically diagnosed late, and are therefore in advanced stages of the disease. A proactive attitude, in favour of identification and early diagnosis of IPF patients is highly needed in order to offer to these patients the opportunity of treatment, improved survival, and a better quality of life.

Keywords: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pirfenidone, nintedanib