Dyspnea Associates With a Widely Impaired Quality of Life in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients: A Longitudinal Study Using 15D.

Research on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is crucial for developing comprehensive palliative care in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). To study IPF patients' HRQoL compared with general population and its association with dyspnea in a longitudinal follow-up. Assessment of IPF patients' HRQoL by a generic tool. Comparison of baseline data with the general population and a 30-month follow-up with 6 months intervals. In total, 246 IPF patients were recruited from the Finnish nationwide real-life study, FinnishIPF. Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale for dyspnea and the generic HRQoL tool 15D for the total and dimensional HRQoL were used. At baseline, the mean 15D total score was lower (0.786, standard deviation [SD] 0.116) in IPF patients than in the general population (0.871, SD 0.043) ( < 0.001) and among the IPF patients with MMRC ≥2 compared with those with MMRC <2 ( < 0.001). In patients with MMRC ≥2, significant impairment compared with general population existed in 11 dimensions of HRQoL, such as breathing, usual activities, and sexual activity, whereas this was true in only 4 dimensions in MMRC <2 category. Mental function was not impaired in either group. During the follow-up, 15D total score decreased in both MMRC categories ( < 0.001) but stayed constantly worse in the MMRC ≥2 group. Seven and two dimensions of HRQoL significantly declined in the categories of MMRC <2 and MMRC ≥2, respectively. Patients with IPF, especially if dyspnea limits everyday life, suffer from widely impaired HRQoL, although self-assessed mental capability is preserved. Integrated palliative care is supported to face the multiple needs of IPF patients.