Farmer's lung natural history, complications and prognosis

If left untreated and unrecognized, about 50% of the patients will be disabled with in 5 years, and about 10% will die.Most of the patients with acute disease will have complete resolution of symptoms when they are moved away from the exposure(offending agent). Patients who have multiple exposures to the offending agent are at risk of pulmonary fibrosis.

• Farmer’s lung disease if left untreated, 50% of the patients will be disabled with in 5 years and about 10% will die.^[1]
• About 70-90% Farmer’s lung disease cases have antibodies, 6-20% healthy farmers have antibodies and about 5% office workers have them.

• Common complications of Farmer’s lung disease include Pulmonary fibrosis, some may go on to have chronic lung disease.

• Prognosis is generally excellent in acute disease. There will be complete resolution if the patient is moved away from exposure.
• Multiple attacks can lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
• Patients who are exposed to the offending agent chronically, may develop insidious and worsening breathlessness leading to chronic Farmer’s lung disease.
• In advanced disease, a small proportion will continue to deteriorate inspite of the inciting factor being removed.