Pulmonary Fibrosis: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by pulmonary fibrosis:

Respiratory system (J00-J99)

• Respiratory insufficiency (limitation of breathing)-increased pressure in the pulmonary arterial system with any of the following:
  • Arterial partial pressure of oxygen <70 mmHg during spontaneous breathing.
  • Horrowitz index < 175 mmHg (oxygenation index; paO2/FiO2).
  • Hyperventilation (overventilation)
  • Tachypnea – too fast breathing rate with > 20 breaths / minute.

Cardiovascular system (I00-I99)

• Cor pulmonale – right heart enlargement due to lung structural changes.
• Pulmonary hypertension – pressure increase in the pulmonary artery system.

Neoplasms – tumor diseases (C00-D48)

• Bronchial carcinoma (lung cancer; 4-20 (-60) % of all patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis).

Psyche – Nervous System (F00-F99; G00-G99).

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression

Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

• Pulmonary cachexia (pulmonary emaciation).