Abstract
Sixty-four patients with histologically proven idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) were retrospectively examined in order to assess the corticosteroid therapy. Fifty-one patients received corticosteroids while thirteen did not receive the steroids. A generalized Wilcoxon's analysis revealed that the group without corticosteroids had a better survival. It was suggested that patients with higher activity, who consequently received corticosteroids therapy, had poor prognosis. Among the patients with corticosteroid therapy, those with over 5% neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or with alveolitis proven by lung biopsy had shorter survival period than those with under 5% neutrophils in BALF or with fibrotic histology. Pulse therapy against acute exacerbation seemed to have no beneficial effects on survival rate and all of the patients, who received pulse therapy, died. Moreover, the response to corticosteroid therapy did not result in the improvements of survival rate.
It is concluded that corticosteroids have limited values to improve the poor prognosis in patients with IIP. A new therapy or medicine is expected for IIP.
