FOREWORD: IPF Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: recent milestones in disease management

diopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown cause that is limited to the lungs [1]. The disease is inevitably fatal, with an estimated median survival of 2–5 yrs following diagnosis; the mortality rate in IPF is higher than mortality rates associated with a number of malignancies [2]. Historically, there were no pharmacological treatments approved in Europe for managing patients with IPF and there was a clear need for treatments, which may modify the disease course and help preserve lung function. This is now an exciting time for physicians, investigators and patients, as there is new hope for patients with IPF. Throughout 2011 there were important milestones, including the new guidelines from the American Thoracic Society (ATS)