Outcomes of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Improve with Obesity: A Rural Appalachian Experience
Rahul Sangani, Andrew J. Ghio, H. Mujahid, Zalak Patel, Kristen Catherman, Sijin Wen, John E. Parker
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Obesity can be an independent predictor of fibrosis in tissues, including the liver, heart, and skin. We evaluated a rural Appalachian cohort of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) for its relation to obesity. METHODS: . Demographics, clinical variables, and treatment details were collected retrospectively and evaluated for their associations with obesity. RESULTS: 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study represents a first known effort to develop an IPF cohort in a rural Appalachian region. Although they shared an increased burden of comorbidities, the obese subgroup showed less advanced fibrosis with a lower mortality rate relative to nonobese subgroup, suggesting a potential "obesity paradox" in IPF. The study findings significantly advance our understanding of challenges posed by IPF in a rural population that also suffers from an alarming rate of obesity. We highlight the need for the multidisciplinary management of these patients and prospective studies to better define this complex relation.