Eosinophilic pneumonia natural history, complications, and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.D. [2]

If left untreated, patients with eosinophilic pneumonia may progress to develop dyspnea, pleural effusion, and respiratory failure. Common complications of eosinophilic pneumonia include respiratory failure, relapse, and adverse effects of steroids. Prognosis is generally excellent, and only a couple of lethal cases have been reported.

If left untreated, patients with eosinophilic pneumonia may progress to develop dyspnea, pleural effusion, and respiratory failure.

• Chronic prednisone is associated with many side effects, including increased infections, weakened bones, stomach ulcers, and changes in appearance.^[3]
• Relapse: Relapses of ICEP are observed in up to 50% of patients. Relapses occur while tapering the dose of corticosteroids or after weaning.
• Respiratory failure: Only a couple of lethal cases have been reported.

• Some patients with ICEP require lifelong therapy.^[1]
• Response to corticosteroid treatment is dramatic and treatment always leads to complete resolution, pulmonary function tests return to normal after recovery from the illness.^[1]
• The pleural effusions may resolve more slowly than the pulmonary parenchymal opacities.^[2]
• Relapses of ICEP are observed in up to 50% of patients and is usually associated with resumption of cigarette smoking after initial cessation.
• These relapses occur while tapering the dose of corticosteroids or after weaning.^[3]

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