European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Establishing whether patients are exposed to a ‘known cause’ is a key
element in both the diagnostic assessment and the subsequent management of
hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP).
Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the burden of hypersensitivity
pneumonitis at a respiratory center.
Methods: 100 patients had been enrolled to the study. Demographic, clinical,
radiological and aetiological data were collected with a random identification code for
each patient in view of maintaining the confidentiality during data collection.
Results: Out of 100 patients, there were 65 females and 35 males. Mean age of the
population was 55.50 years (SD = 10.50) years. 50 patients were less than 65 years of
which 30 were aged between 45 to 60 years while 20 were aged <5 years.
Conclusion: In general, patients with acute disease, if correctly and timely diagnosed
and treated, have a good prognosis, and patients usually improve. By contrast, patients
with subacute/chronic HP (in particular those with bird fancier’s disease) often
progress to irreversible pulmonary fibrosis and may die within a few years after
diagnosis.