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Mapping IPF helps identify geographic regions at higher risk for disease development and potential triggers
Author(s) -
Shull Jessica Germaine,
Pay Maria Teresa,
Lara Compte Carla,
Olid Miriam,
Bermudo Guadalupe,
Portillo Karina,
Sellarés Jacobo,
Balcells Eva,
VicensZygmunt Vanesa,
PlanasCerezales Lurdes,
BadenesBonet Diana,
Blavia Rosana,
RiveraOrtega Pilar,
Moreno Amalia,
Sans Jordi,
Perich Damià,
Barril Silvia,
Esteban Leonardo,
GarciaBellmunt Laia,
Esplugas Jordi,
SuarezCuartin Guillermo,
BordasMartinez Jaume,
Castillo Diego,
Jolis Rosa,
Salvador Inma,
Eizaguirre Anton Saioa,
Villar Ana,
RoblesPerez Alejandro,
Cardona M. Josefa,
Barbeta Enric,
Silveira Maria Guadalupe,
Guevara Claudia,
Dorca Jordi,
Rosell Antoni,
Luburich Patricio,
Llatjós Roger,
Jorba Oriol,
MolinaMolina Maria
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/resp.13973
Subject(s) - idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis , medicine , epidemiology , retrospective cohort study , environmental health , nintedanib , disease , lung
Background and objective The relationship between IPF development and environmental factors has not been completely elucidated. Analysing geographic regions of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) cases could help identify those areas with higher aggregation and investigate potential triggers. We hypothesize that cross‐analysing location of IPF cases and areas of consistently high air pollution concentration could lead to recognition of environmental risk factors for IPF development. Methods This retrospective study analysed epidemiological and clinical data from 503 patients registered in the Observatory IPF.cat from January 2017 to June 2019. Incident and prevalent IPF cases from the Catalan region of Spain were graphed based on their postal address. We generated maps of the most relevant air pollutant PM2.5 from the last 10 years using data from the CALIOPE air quality forecast system and observational data. Results In 2018, the prevalence of IPF differed across provinces; from 8.1 cases per 100 000 habitants in Barcelona to 2.0 cases per 100 000 in Girona. The ratio of IPF was higher in some areas. Mapping PM2.5 levels illustrated that certain areas with more industry, traffic and shipping maintained markedly higher PM2.5 concentrations. Most of these locations correlated with higher aggregation of IPF cases. Compared with other risk factors, PM2.5 exposure was the most frequent. Conclusion In this retrospective study, prevalence of IPF is higher in areas of elevated PM2.5 concentration. Prospective studies with targeted pollution mapping need to be done in specific geographies to compile a broader profile of environmental factors involved in the development of pulmonary fibrosis.