The Effect of Pirfenidone on Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients of Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Iran

Atefeh Fakharian; Yousef Gholampour; Alireza  Eslaminejad; Abdolazim Alinejad

doi:10.18502/jimc.v6i1.11849

Atefeh Fakharian Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Yousef Gholampour Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Science, Fasa, Iran
Alireza Eslaminejad Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abdolazim Alinejad Department of Public Health, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v6i1.11849

Keywords: Clinical trial, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Pirfenidone, Placebo

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is the most common form of lung fibrosis. This chronic and lethal disease is characterized by the gradual progression of fibrosis in the lung and decreased lung oxygen exchange capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pirfenidone on pulmonary parameters such as TLC, FVC, DLCO, 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD), and SPO₂ has been done.

Methods: In this study, 40 patients with IPF participated in two groups. Pulmonary indicators such as TLC, FVC, VC, and DLCO by wind box and the SPO² index were calculated by pulse oximetry. The variable of 6MWD is the distance traveled in meters in 6 min. Variables such as age, sex, height, weight, and hospitalization were obtained through interviews with patients. The indicators were reviewed in both groups at 3 and 6 months.

Results: Data analysis showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the two groups. The mean reduction in these indexes was lower in the pirfenidone group and the decrease was significant over time. Also, the mean increase in the percentage of distance traveled in the 6MWD in the group of patients receiving pirfenidone was 53.53 and in the placebo group, it was 20.3%, which had a significant difference between the group receiving the drug and placebo was observed.

Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that pirfenidone is considered as a preferred drug in all phases of the treatment of IPF disease and it has more therapeutic effects than other medicines.