Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmed Elsaiey, MBBCH [2]

There are no diagnostic laboratory findings associated with pulmonary fibrosis. However, useful laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis include abnormal arterial blood gases, sputum analysis, and blood picture.

Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis include:

• Abnormal arterial blood gas (ABG)
  • May indicate hypoxia, hypercapnia, and respiratory acidosis
• Abnormal sputum analysis
  • May contain bacteria, such as mycobacterium tuberculosis or inorganic particles, such as asbestos bodies or organic particles
• Peak flow assessment
  • May be below normal range which is 100 liters/minute for men, and 80 liters/minute for women
• Pulmonary function test
  • May indicate a restrictive pulmonary disease
  • A FEV1/FVC ratio > 80% indicates restrictive disease
• Complete blood count
  • May indicate anemia, neutrophilia, elevated ESR, elevated CRP, and elevated immunoglobulin
• Tuberculin skin test
  • To test for tuberculosis, and induration > 5mm is positive
• Stool examination for occult blood
  • May indicate colorectal carcinoma

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