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Case report
Severe progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis post-COVID-19 infection
  1. Naomi Earl,
  2. Dillon Schoeneberg and
  3. Philip D Davidson
  1. Respiratory Medicine, Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Naomi Earl; naomi.earl{at}nhs.net

Abstract

A 79-year-old woman presented with a week-long history of shortness of breath. She had a background of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) which was stable and had not required any antifibrotic treatment. A month prior to this presentation, she was admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia, with maximal oxygen requirement of 2 L, but was discharged without need for supplemental oxygen. On readmission, she was found to have severe, rapidly progressive pulmonary fibrosis. After all precipitating causes were ruled out, it was felt her recent COVID-19 infection was the exacerbating factor causing progression of pulmonary fibrosis. COVID-19 infection has been hypothesised to cause long term pulmonary fibrosis, but this is the first case highlighting COVID-19 infection as the causative agent exacerbating IPF.

  • COVID-19
  • interstitial lung disease

This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

https://bmj.com/coronavirus/usage

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-244472

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors NE developed the concept of the report. All authors acquired and interpreted data for the report. NE and DS drafted the initial report. All authors reviewed and revised the report. PDD supervised the project.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.