The INER Clinic provides more than 400 consultations per year to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
The INER Research Directorate has 107 professionals who conduct experimental clinical research on patient populations.
Doctor examining some lung x-rays on computer (illustration)
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Mexico City. – he National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER) “Ismael Cosío Villegas” via Interstitial Lung Disease ClinicIn addition to research conducted with the Lung Aging and Fibrotic Lung Disease Program, the center diagnoses and provides care to patients with fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and has a cohort of patients participating in aging research, reports the center’s research director. Moises Selman Lama Institute.
The honorary researcher explained that the Interstitial Disease Clinic provides 400 to 500 consultations per year; there, chest tomography and lung function tests (spirometry and carbon monoxide diffusion) are performed to find out whether the patient has obstructive lung diseases, such as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis, etc., or any restrictive lung disease in which idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is found.
He explained that idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive, highly disabling and fatal disease characterized by scarring of the lungs, causing them to become stiff.
He noted that a significant number of patients arrived with significantly advanced disease, on average a year or more from the onset of symptoms, thereby losing the opportunity to initiate treatment to reduce readmissions for lung infections. These patients, as well as control the disease and prevent the deterioration of the condition, etc.
He explained that there are currently two anti-fibrotic drugs that can reduce the rate of disease progression and prevent the risk of exacerbations, thereby improving survival rates from five to seven years.
Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis are associated with a tendency to develop pulmonary fibrosis; if it is not diagnosed promptly and treated, it may develop like progressive pulmonary fibrosis at some point in its development. However, the exact prevalence of this condition in Mexico is unknown because there are not enough studies on this issue.
Selman Lama stressed that pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with pulmonary fibrosis is extremely important, along with the use of oxygen, vaccinations against all vaccines including influenza, COVID-19, pneumococcal, and psychological support.
In this regard, he explained that INER’s area of pulmonary rehabilitation includes pulmonary physiotherapy and physical conditioning as part of the interdisciplinary management of patients with disability-related respiratory diseases.
Likewise, through the Patient and Family Support Program, psychology, psychiatry, and thanatology staff can provide free psychological care as patients experience anxiety, depression, sleep problems, irritability, excessive worry, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death. . Disease makes them.
In terms of research, he pointed out that INER’s Lung Aging and Fibrotic Lung Disease Project cooperated with UNAM’s National Laboratory for Bionic Diagnostic and Therapeutic Solutions (LaNSBioDyT) to carry out research on pulmonary fibrosis and aging of epithelial cells and alveolar cells, achieving Significant decrease in growth rate and increase in markers of aging.
He added that there are currently 107 researchers in the INER Research Directorate, about 60% of whom hold PhD degrees and 90% belong to the National System of Researchers (SNII), who conduct experimental clinical research on patient groups with different opportunities. included in the study.
In this context, Selman Lama stated that federal funds have been independently administered for specific projects, such as the National Institute of Genomic Medicine (Inmegen) Care of Women in the Area of Pulmonary Fibrosis, which allows INER to propose projects such as: research to health authorities, and follow up on ongoing clinical trials to support patients with research, accurate diagnosis and specific treatment within a short period of time.
Given the need for a health system focused on prompt recognition and diagnosis of this deadly disease, researcher Moisés Selman recommends that people over 60 years of age should also see a specialist if they have difficulty breathing (shortness of breath) for more than two months. Avoid keeping birds in your home as inhalation of their organic particles may cause pneumonia due to allergies and may lead to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.