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Rafael Golpe, María Suárez-Valor, Irene Martín-Robles, Pilar Sanjuán-López, Esteban Cano-Jiménez, Olalla Castro-Añón, Luis A Pérez de Llano Respiratory Medicine Service, University Hospital Lucus Augusti, Lugo, Spain Purpose: Grouping COPD subjects into clinical phenotypes might be useful for the management of the disease, but the clinical implications of such classification are still not totally clear, especially regarding prognosis. The primary objective of this study was to assess whether the mortality rates were different between four predefined clinical phenotypes. Patients and methods: This is a retrospective, observational study carried out at the COPD clinic of a University Hospital. A total of 891 COPD patients were classified, according to the Spanish COPD guidelines, into the following four phenotypes: asthma–COPD overlap (ACO; 75 subjects), nonexacerbator (NONEX; 531 subjects), exacerbator with chronic bronchitis (EXCB; 194 subjects), and exacerbator with emphysema (EXEMPH; 91 subjects). We compared the mortality outcomes between the phenotypes. Results: After a follow-up of 48.4±25.2 months, there were 194 deaths (21.8%). There were significant differences in all-cause mortality between phenotypes. The ACO phenotype had the best long-term prognosis, whereas EXEMPH had the highest risk of death. NONEX and EXCB mortality figures were in between the other two groups. We also found some differences in the causes of death, and patients with EXEMPH were at a higher risk of dying because of COPD itself. The differences in mortality did not seem related to the classification into phenotypes in itself but to disparities in COPD severity and comorbidity load between groups. Conclusion: Classifying COPD patients according to several predefined clinical phenotypes can identify clusters of subjects with different mortality outcomes. Some phenotypes are associated with a specific cause of death. The mechanisms that underlie these differences seem to be related to COPD severity and comorbidities. Keywords: COPD, phenotypes, mortality

Background: Fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (fHP) is an immune-mediated interstitial lung disease caused by sensitisation to chronic allergen inhalation. This study aimed to determine prognostic indicators of progression and mortality in fHP., Methods: This was a retrospective, multicentre, observational, cross-sectional cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with fHP from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2021. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals for predictors of progression and survival., Results: A total of 403 patients were diagnosed with fHP: median (interquartile range) age 66.5 (14.0) years, 51.9% females and 55.1% never-smokers. The cause of fHP was mainly fungal (39.7%) or avian (41.4%). Lung biopsy was performed in 269 cases (66.7%). In the whole cohort the variables that were related to mortality or lung transplant were older age (HR 1.08; p<0.001), percentage predicted forced vital capacity (HR 0.96; p=0.001), lymphocytosis in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (HR 0.93; p=0.001), presence of acute exacerbation during follow-up (HR 3.04; p=0.001) and GAP (gender, age and lung physiology) index (HR 1.96; p<0.01). In the group of biopsied patients, the presence of fibroblastic foci at biopsy (HR 8.39; p<0.001) stands out in multivariate Cox regression analyses as a highly significant predictor for increased mortality or lung transplant. GAP index (HR 1.26; p=0.009), lymphocytosis in BAL (HR 0.97; p=0.018) and age (HR 1.03; p=0.018) are also predictors of progression., Conclusions: The study identified several prognostic factors for progression and/or survival in fHP. The presence of fibroblastic foci at biopsy was a consistent predictor for increased mortality and the presence of lymphocytosis in BAL was inversely related to mortality., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: E. Cano-Jiménez has received grants and fees for research purposes or speaking from Roche, Bristol Myers and Boehringer Ingelheim. Conflict of interest: A. Villar Gómez has received travel grants, consulting fees, speaking fees or research grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Glaxo and Chiesi. Conflict of interest: M. Aburto Barrenechea reports lecture fees and support for attending meetings from Boehringer Ingelheim in the last 36 months, outside the submitted work. Conflict of interest: J. Sellarés Torres has received funding from Boehringer and Roche, outside the submitted work. Conflict of interest: D. Castillo Villegas reports personal fees and nonfinancial support from Roche; grants, personal fees and nonfinancial support from Boehringer Ingelheim; grants from Fujirebio; and personal fees from Veracyte, outside the submitted work. Conflict of interest: C. González Fernández has participated in conferences, scientific meetings, consulting, research and scientific dissemination activities funded by AstraZeneca, Chiesi, Teva, Sanofi, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb and Roche. Conflict of interest: M. Molina-Molina has received grants and fees for research purposes and scientific advice from Ferrer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Esteve-Teijin, Chiesi and Janssen. Conflict of interest: E. Velez Segovia, J. Francesqui, O. Acosta Fernández, J. Bordas-Martinez, K. Portillo Carroz, A.J. Solis Solis, A.B. Llanos Gonzáles, E. Cabrera Cesar, E. Balcells Vilarnau, A. Reyes Pardessus, M. García Moyano, A. Urrutia Gajate and A. Blanco Hortas have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright ©The authors 2024.)

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease associated with dyspnoea, cough and impaired quality of life affecting around 7500 patients in Spain., Objective: Our aim was to estimate the economic impact of IPF according to forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted level in adult patients., Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, multicentric study of patients with confirmed IPF in Spain. Total annual IPF-related costs were estimated per patient, and categorised according to the FVC% predicted value (FVC < 50%, FVC 50-80%, FVC > 80%) and total sample. Incurred direct health- and non-health-related costs and indirect costs were calculated considering the IPF-related healthcare resource use and the corresponding unitarian costs. Results were updated to 2023 euros., Results: Two hundred and four consecutive patients with IPF were included: 77% male, average age (standard deviation) 70.8 (7.6) years. At baseline, FVC% was < 50%, 50-80% and > 80% of predicted value in 10.8%, 74.5% and 14.7% of patients, respectively. The final cost-evaluable population included 180 subjects. The mean (standard deviation) total annual IPF-related cost was €26,997 (17,555), with statistically significant differences (p = 0.0002) between groups: €44,412 (33,389) for the FVC < 50%, €25,803 (14,688) for the FVC 50-80% and €23,242 (13,642) for the FVC > 80%. Annual direct health costs had the greatest weight and included pharmacological treatments [€22,324 (13,773)] and hospitalisation days [€1659 (7362)]. 14 patients had ≥ 1 acute exacerbation of IPF during the study; mean total cost of an acute exacerbation of IPF was €10,372. According to the multivariate analysis, an impaired lung function (FVC < 50%) and use of antifibrotic treatment were determinants of cost (p < 0.0001 both)., Conclusions: We observed a significantly higher annual IPF-related cost at a lower level of predicted FVC%, the direct cost having the greatest weight to the total costs. Maintaining patients at early disease stages by slowing IPF progression is relevant to reduce the economic impact of IPF., Clinical Trial Registration: EU PAS register number EUPAS19387 (1 June, 2017)., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: To develop a joint proposal for screening criteria of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and vice versa, which serves as a guidelines in patient referral between the Rheumatology and Pneumology departments to early detection of these patients., Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out on the risk factors for the development of ILD in RA patients, and for the referral criteria to Rheumatology for suspected early RA. Based on the available evidence, screening criteria were agreed using the Delphi method by a panel of pneumologists and rheumatologists with expertise in these pathologies., Results: Screening criteria for ILD in patients with RA and for the early detection of RA in cases with ILD of unknown etiology have been developed. In both cases, a detection strategy was based on clinical risk factors. Recommendations also included the complementary tests to be carried out in the different clinical scenarios and on the periodicity that screening should be repeated., Conclusion: A selective screening strategy is recommended for the first time in the early diagnosis of patients with ILD-RA. This multidisciplinary proposal aims to solve some common clinical questions and help decision-making, although its usefulness to identify these patients with good sensitivity must be confirmed in a validation study., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Objective: To develop multidisciplinary recommendations to improve the management of rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD)., Methods: Clinical research questions relevant to the objective of the document were identified by a panel of rheumatologists and pneumologists selected based on their experience in the field. Systematic reviews of the available evidence were conducted, and evidence was graded according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. Specific recommendations were made., Results: Six PICO questions were selected, three of which analysed the safety and effectiveness of glucocorticoids, classical synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and other immunosuppressants, biological agents, targeted synthetic DMARDs, and antifibrotic therapies in the treatment of this complication. A total of 12 recommendations were formulated based on the evidence found and/or expert consensus., Conclusions: We present the first official SER-SEPAR document with specific recommendations for RA-ILD management developed to resolve some common clinical questions, reduce clinical healthcare variability, and facilitate decision-making for patients., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To develop multidisciplinary recommendations to improve the management of rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD)., Methods: Clinical research questions relevant to the objective of the document were identified by a panel of rheumatologists and pneumologists selected based on their experience in the field. Systematic reviews of the available evidence were conducted, and evidence was graded according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) criteria. Specific recommendations were made., Results: Six PICO questions were selected, three of which analysed the incidence and prevalence of RA-ILD, associated risk factors, and predictors of progression and mortality. A total of 6 specific recommendations on these topics, structured by question, were formulated based on the evidence found and/or expert consensus., Conclusions: We present the first official SER-SEPAR document with specific recommendations for RA-ILD management developed to resolve some common clinical questions and facilitate decision-making for patients., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Reumatología y Colegio Mexicano de Reumatología. All rights reserved.)

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease associated with decline in lung function and poor prognosis entailing significant impairment in quality of life and high socioeconomic burden. The aim of this study was to characterize clinical management and resources utilization of patients with IPF in Spain, according to predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) % at baseline., Methods: Prospective, non-interventional, multicentric real-world data study in patients with IPF in Spain with 12-months follow-up. Clinical management and resources utilization during study period were recorded and compared between groups. FVC decline and acute exacerbations occurrence and associated healthcare resource use were also analysed. FVC decline after 12 months was estimated as relative change., Results: 204 consecutive patients with IPF were included and divided according to baseline FVC % predicted value. At baseline, patients with FVC < 50% received significantly more pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and more help from caregiver. During the 12-months follow-up, patients with FVC < 50% required more specialized care visits, emergency visits, hospitalizations, pulmonary functions tests, non-health resource use (special transportation), and pharmacological treatments (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Moreover, patients with FVC < 50% at baseline experienced more AE-IPF (p < 0.05), requiring more health-related resources use (primary care visits, p < 0.05). FVC decline was observed in all groups over the 12 months. FVC decreased on average by 2.50% (95% CI: - 5.98 to 0.98) along the year. More patients experienced an FVC decline > 10% in the more preserved lung function groups than in the FVC < 50% group, because of their already deteriorated condition., Conclusions: We observed a significantly higher annual IPF-related resource use in patients with more impaired lung function at baseline. Since FVC decreases irrespective of FVC% predicted at baseline, slowing IPF progression to maintain patients at early disease stages is relevant to improve IPF management and to optimize resource use., Trial Registration: EU PAS register number EUPAS19387 [June 01, 2017]., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Though idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by single-organ involvement, many comorbid conditions occur within other organ systems. Patients with IPF may present during evolution different complications and comorbidities that influence the prognosis and modify the natural course of their disease. In this chapter, we highlight common comorbid conditions encountered in IPF, discuss disease-specific diagnostic modalities, and review the current treatment data for several key comorbidities. The diagnosis and treatment of these comorbidities is a challenge for the pulmonologist specialized in interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). We will focus on pulmonary emphysema, lung cancer, gastroesophageal reflux, pulmonary hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (sleep disorders), and acute exacerbation of IPF.

Background and Objective: Most studies on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exclude octogenarian patients. Therefore, the disease is not well characterized in this age group. The objective of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics of octogenarian patients with COPD and the usefulness of the prognostic indexes used most frequently in this age group., Patients and Method: Retrospective study of consecutive patients seen at a clinic between 2009 and 2017. The following variables were analyzed: lung function parameters, distribution of clinical phenotypes, income history, mortality, comorbidities and usefulness of the Charlson, BODEX, COTE and CODEX indexes to predict mortality., Results: The sample comprised 698 patients, 82 aged (11.7%)≥80 years old. Mean follow-up time was 47.9±21.8 months. In octogenarian patients, the severity of the COPD, assessed by means of the FEV 1 % or BODEX index, was similar to that of younger patients, but dyspnea was worse in the elderly group. In these patients, the chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbator phenotypes were the most frequent, whilst the emphysema phenotype was the least common. Octogenarians had a greater prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities and renal diseases. Moreover, hospital admissions were more frequent and mortality was higher in these elderly patients. Most prognostic indexes were useful in predicting mortality in elderly patients. CODEX was the most useful index to predict mortality, both in octogenarian and younger patients., Conclusion: Octogenarian patients with COPD have differential characteristics which could imply the need for different therapeutic approaches. Prognostic indexes are useful for predicting mortality in this population., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is a common form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis possibly underdiagnosed in our midst. The aim of this study was to describe clinical characteristics, evolution and factors that influence the prognosis of patients with FLD., Patients and Methods: A retrospective study that included all patients diagnosed with FLD presenting an environmental exposure risk, a clinic, lung function and a compatible radiology, in which antigen sensitisation was demonstrated and/or a concordant pathology., Results: We selected 75 patients with FLD, 50 with acute or subacute form (ASF) and 25 with chronic form (CF). Forty-four percent of patients (n=33) were diagnosed during the months of March and April, especially those with ASF compared to CF (52 vs. 28%; P=.0018). In the ASF group, DLco showed an improvement during follow-up (P=.047). The determination of specific IgG antibodies was positive in 39 patients (78%) with ASF (44% of them against Aspergillus) and CF 12 (48%). The realisation of antigenic avoidance (OR 9.26, 95% CI 1.3-66.7, P=.026) and the administration of immunosuppressive therapy (OR 16.13, 95% CI 1.26-200, P=.033) were predictors of better disease progression., Conclusions: FLD is predominantly seasonal in our environment. CF usually has a negative specific IgG antibodies unlike ASF, where antibodies against Aspergillus are the most common. The realisation of antigenic avoidance and immunosuppressive treatment are possible predictors of better disease progression., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: COPD under-diagnosis is common in Primary Health Care medicine, due to the low use of spirometry, but there is less information about over-diagnosis of the disease in patients that have a clinical diagnosis of COPD., Objective: The main objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence of COPD over-diagnosis in Primary Care medicine. Secondary objectives were to determine the factors associated with an incorrect clinical diagnosis of COPD and to analyse whether the pharmacological treatment is different for patients with correct or incorrect diagnosis., Method: A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using the spirometry results of 206 patients with a clinical diagnosis of COPD, with no prior lung function testing, and who were treated with inhaled therapy. Characteristics and treatment of patients with a correct or incorrect COPD diagnosis were compared., Results: The prevalence of COPD over-diagnosis was 42.7% in the study population. Factors associated with an incorrect diagnosis were female sex (P<.0001), obesity (P=.009), absence of smoking history (P<.0001), lower age (P=.001), and less severe dyspnoea (P=.001). Long-acting muscarinic agents were more frequently prescribed to patients with a correct COPD diagnosis. There were no other differences regarding inhaled therapies between both groups., Conclusions: Over-diagnosis is a frequent phenomenon in patients with a clinical diagnosis of COPD managed in Primary Care medicine. There are different features between patients with a correct and incorrect diagnosis. Spirometry is an essential tool to reduce COPD over-diagnosis., (Copyright © 2017 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: Comorbidities are very common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), contributing to the overall severity of the disease. The relative prevalence of comorbidities in COPD caused by biomass smoke (B-COPD), compared with COPD related to tobacco (T-COPD), is not well known., Objectives: To establish if both types of COPD are associated with a different risk for several major comorbidities., Method: The prevalence of comorbidities was compared in 863 subjects with B-COPD (n = 179, 20.7%) or T-COPD (n = 684, 79.2%). Multivariate analysis was carried out to explore the independent relationship between comorbidities and type of exposure., Results: Three comorbidities were more frequent in T-COPD than in B-COPD: ischemic heart disease (11.5 vs. 5.0%, respectively, p = 0.01), peripheral vascular disease (9.2 vs. 2.7%, p = 0.006), and peptic ulcer disease (4.8% vs. 0, p = 0.005). After correcting for potential confounding variables, the risk of ischemic heart disease was lower in B-COPD than in T-COPD (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.16-0.69, p = 0.003)., Conclusions: The prevalence of ischemic heart disease is significantly lower in B-COPD than in T-COPD, suggesting a different systemic effect of both types of smoke in COPD patients., (© 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Farmer's lung disease (FLD) is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by inhaling microorganisms from hay or grain stored in conditions of high humidity in the agricultural workplace. It is probably underdiagnosed, especially in northern Spain, where climatic conditions favor the development of this disease. According to previous studies, the most common antigens are usually thermophilic actinomycetes and fungi. The epidemiology of the disease is not well known, and is based on studies conducted by Central European and Asian groups. The clinical presentation may vary, differentiating the chronic (exposure to lower concentrations of the antigen over a longer period time) and the acute forms (after exposure to high concentrations of the antigen). In patients with respiratory symptoms and agricultural occupational exposure, radiological, lung function and/or anatomical pathology findings must be compatible with FLD, bronchoalveolar lavage must show lymphocytosis, and tests must find sensitivity to the antigen. The main treatment is avoidance of the antigen, so it is essential to educate patients on preventive measures. To date, no controlled studies have assessed the role of immunosuppressive therapy in this disease. Corticosteroid treatment has only been shown to accelerate resolution of the acute forms, but there is no evidence that it is effective in preventing disease progression in the long-term or reducing mortality., (Copyright © 2016 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Little is known about survival and prognostic factors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to biomass smoke exposure (BS-COPD)., Objectives: (1) To determine the value of two indices of COPD severity: BODEx (body mass index, obstruction, dyspnea, and previous severe exacerbations) and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) categories system (ABCD) to predict all-cause mortality in BS-COPD, compared with COPD due to tobacco (T-COPD); (2) to verify the usefulness of 2 comorbidity indices, Charlson index and COTE (COPD comorbidity index); and (3) to put side by side the value of these indices., Methods: 612 consecutive COPD patients were retrospectively studied. Prognostic factors were evaluated taking into account the exposure to biomass or tobacco smoke. The relative predictive values of the prognostic indices were compared using receiver-operating characteristic analysis., Results: Mortality in the BS-COPD and T-COPD groups was not significantly different, when sex was taken into account. BODEx, Charlson and COTE indices-but not type of exposure-predicted mortality in multivariate analysis. The value of the C-statistic for the BODEx index was not different than that of GOLD ABCD for BS-COPD, but was higher for T-COPD. The discriminatory value of the Charlson index was higher than that of COTE for BS-COPD, but no significant differences were found for T-COPD., Conclusions: Multidimensional indices of COPD severity and comorbidity predict all-cause mortality in BS-COPD. The behavior of the different indices is different for BS-COPD and T-COPD.

This report describes the general characteristics, objectives and organizational aspects of the registries of rare respiratory diseases included in the National Registry of Rare Diseases of the Research Institute for Rare Diseases (ISCIII), in order to publicize their existence and encourage the participation of professionals. Information is collected on the following conditions: alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, idiopathic tracheal stenosis, adult pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, alveolar proteinosis, and sarcoidosis., (Copyright © 2013 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Exposure to biomass smoke is a risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unknown whether COPD caused by biomass smoke has different characteristics to COPD caused by tobacco smoke., Objective: To determine clinical differences between these two types of the disease., Methods: Retrospective observational study of 499 patients with a diagnosis of COPD due to biomass or tobacco smoke. The clinical variables of both groups were compared., Results: There were 122 subjects (24.4%) in the biomass smoke group and 377 (75.5%) in the tobacco smoke group. In the tobacco group, the percentage of males was higher (91.2% vs 41.8%, P<.0001) and the age was lower (70.6 vs 76.2 years, P<.0001). Body mass index and FEV1% values were higher in the biomass group (29.4±5.7 vs 28.0±5.1, P=.01, and 55.6±15.6 vs 47.1±17.1, P<.0001, respectively). The mixed COPD-asthma phenotype was more common in the biomass group (21.3% vs 5%, P<.0001), although this difference disappeared when corrected for gender. The emphysema phenotype was more common in the tobacco group (45.9% vs 31.9%, P=.009). The prevalence of the chronic bronchitis and exacerbator phenotypes, the comorbidity burden and the rate of hospital admissions were the same in both groups., Conclusion: Differences were observed between COPD caused by biomass and COPD caused by tobacco smoke, although these may be attributed in part to uneven gender distribution between the groups., (Copyright © 2013 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Endobronchial metastases (EBM) secondary to extrapulmonary primary tumours are rare. The most common solid malignant tumours associated with EBM are breast, renal and colorectal carcinomas. This case report describes the first documented case of EBM from anal canal carcinoma. This neoplasm constitutes less than 1% of colorectal tumours. The clinical presentation of this entity is variable, being asymptomatic in more than 50% of cases. Generally, EBM are diagnosed in advanced stages and the survival after the diagnosis is poor. It is therefore an exceptional clinical manifestation in which bronchoscopy has an important role in the diagnosis and the treatment., (Copyright © 2011 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To evaluate the clinical relevance of the presence of lymphocytes in transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) samples from pathological mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with suspected lung cancer., Methods: Retrospective observational study evaluating the negative predictive value (NPV) of TBNA samples containing lymphocytes but not malignant cells., Results: A total of 266 TBNA were performed in 252 patients with pathological lymph nodes. One hundred and fifteen TBNA samples had evidence of malignant cells (43%), and 94 (35%) samples were considered as inadequate (absence of adequate cytological material or exclusive presence of bronchial epithelial cells). Out of the 57 TBNA samples remaining (21%), 15 could not be confirmed; in 32, TBNA samples were confirmed with alternative diagnostic techniques and in 10, they were confirmed after clinical and radiological follow-up. The NPV of the 32 samples that were confirmed with alternative diagnostic techniques was 84% decreasing down to 76% when the 10 TBNA samples confirmed after clinical and radiological follow-up were included., Conclusions: The presence of lymphocytes in the TBNA sample does not exclude the neoplasic invasion of the specific lymph node analyzed., (Copyright © 2010 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Peribronchiolar metaplasia is a histologic lesion characterized by fibrosis and bronchiolar epithelial proliferation, affecting peribronchiolar alveolar septa and terminal bronchioles. It has been considered a nonspecific tissue reaction secondary to the action of external factors, such as tobacco smoke and microbes, and is a common histologic finding in several diffuse interstitial lung diseases. Several such cases with clinical, radiologic, and lung function manifestations characteristic of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia have been described recently, all having peribronchiolar metaplasia as the only histologic abnormality. We report 2 cases of interstitial lung disease in which peribronchiolar metaplasia was the only finding of pathology.