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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as a cause of severe respiratory failure in gerontological practice

https://doi.org/10.18093/0869-0189-2026-36-3-506-512

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology, most commonly occurring in the elderly. The main factors leading to the development of IPF are environmental factors, viruses, and genetic predisposition. The «gold standard» for diagnosis is high-resolution computed tomography. Antifibrotic drugs such as nintedanib and pirfenidone are used as pathogenetic therapy.

The aim was to present a patient with a long history of dyspnea and heart failure, in whom the diagnosis of IPF was established only upon hospitalization due to worsening dyspnea. High-resolution computed tomography revealed a characteristic pattern of “honeycomb lung”.

Conclusion. The article demonstrates the difficulties in diagnosing IPF in old age associated with polymorbidity (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure), which leads to a late start of specific therapy. 

About the Authors

E. V. Reznik
Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Moscow City “City Clinical Hospital No.31 named after Academician G.M.Savelyeva of the Moscow City Department of Healthcare”
Russian Federation

Elena V. Reznik, Doctor of Medicine, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine No.2, Institute of Clinical Medicine Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; General Practitioner, Cardiologist, Functional Diagnostics Physician, Ultrasound Diagnostics Physician, Clinical Pharmacologist, Healthcare Organizer, State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Moscow City “City Clinical Hospital No.31 named after Academician G.M.Savelyeva of the Moscow City Department of Healthcare”

ul. Ostrovityanova 1, Moscow, 117997,

ul. Lobachevskogo 42, build. 4, Moscow, 119415



L. Kh. Alieva
Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the City of Moscow “City Clinical Hospital No.67 named after L.A.Vorokhobov of the Moscow City Department of Healthcare”
Russian Federation

Luiza Kh. Alieva, Assistant Professor, Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Medicine No.2, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; Cardiologist, Intensive Care Unit, State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the City of Moscow “City Clinical Hospital No.67 named after L.A.Vorokhobov of the Moscow City Department of Healthcare”

ul. Ostrovityanova 1, Moscow, 117997,

ul. Salyama Adilya, 2/44, Moscow, 123423



M. D. Iarovoi
Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Russian Federation

Maksim D. Iarovoi, Senior Laboratory Assistant, Department of Propaedeutics of Internal Diseases No.2, Institute of Clinical Medicine

ul. Ostrovityanova 1, Moscow, 117997



A. S. Popova
Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Russian Federation

Anastasia S. Popova, Pulmonologist, Postgraduate Student, Department of Pulmonology, Institute of Continuous Education and Professional Development

ul. Ostrovityanova 1, Moscow, 117997



Yu. A. Vasiliev
State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the City of Moscow “Scientific and Practical Clinical Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine Technologies of the Moscow City Department of Healthcare”
Russian Federation

Yuri A. Vasiliev, Doctor of Medicine, Radiologist, Chief Physician

ul. Petrovka 24, build. 1, Moscow,127051



References

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Review

For citations:


Reznik E.V., Alieva L.Kh., Iarovoi M.D., Popova A.S., Vasiliev Yu.A. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as a cause of severe respiratory failure in gerontological practice. PULMONOLOGIYA. 2026;36(3):506-512. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18093/0869-0189-2026-36-3-506-512

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ISSN 0869-0189 (Print)
ISSN 2541-9617 (Online)