TABLE 1

Patient characteristics

Age years74±9
Males165 (65%)
Duration of IPF years3.9±2.5
Education years10±4
Living alone70 (28%)
Working22 (9%)
Smoking status#
 Smokers26 (10%)
 Ex-smokers109 (43%)
 Never-smokers118 (47%)
FVC# L3.0±0.9
FVC# % of predicted83±17%
Comorbidities
 Hypertension105 (42%)
 Coronary heart disease64 (25%)
 Diabetes50 (20%)
 Heart insufficiency46 (18%)
 COPD43 (17%)
 Cancer41 (16%)
 Asthma24 (10%)
 Others93 (37%)
 No comorbidities53 (21%)
Comorbidities n1.8±1.5

Data are presented as mean±sd unless otherwise stated. IPF: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; FVC: forced vital capacity; COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. #: smoking status and FVC were recorded at the time of diagnosis, and other factors at the time of questionnaire; : including three patients with lung cancer.