Retrospective cohort study of patients qualified for lung transplantation due to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis – single-centre experience

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive disease. Pharmacological treatment can only slow its progression. However, lung transplantation (LTx) is the only treatment for patients with its end-stage form. This study analysed the long-term results of the qualification process of patients with IPF recruited for LTx in a single centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 84 patients (56 patients who died while on the waiting list and 28 patients who underwent LTx) with end-stage IPF who were qualified for LTx between 2006 and 2017 at the Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases (Zabrze, Poland). RESULTS: Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that the only parameter was 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, which statistically significantly impacted the probability of receiving a graft (parameter assessment, 0.00523; p = 0.006; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0015–0.009; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.005) as well as that of death while on the waiting list (parameter assessment, –0.0054; p = 0.003; 95% CI: –0.009– (–0.0017); HR = 0.995). Patients with a 253–350-m 6MWT distance had 3 times greater risk of dying while on the waiting list than those who walked more than 350 m. Other factors, such as height, sex, and blood group, also influenced the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The 6-minute walk test distance is an independent predictor of mortality on the lung transplant waiting list. Blood type and height also play a significant role in becoming a lung recipient.