Future Directions: Addressing Persistent Challenges in Fibrosis Care

EP: 1.The IPF Journey: Pathophysiology, Progression, and Patient Impact

EP: 2.Decoding Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis

EP: 3.Diagnostic Dilemmas: Barriers to Timely Detection of IPF and PPF

EP: 4.Leveraging the Multidisciplinary Team to Overcoming Diagnosing IPF or PPF

EP: 5.Living With Fibrosis: Quality of Life Challenges for Patients

EP: 6.Current Treatment Paradigms: Efficacy, Safety, and Patient Adherence in IPF and PPF Care

EP: 7.Identifying Critical Unmet Needs in IPF and PPF Treatment

EP: 8.Emerging Therapies Transforming IPF and PPF Treatment Landscapes

EP: 9.The Potential of PDE4 Inhibition in Managing IPF and PPF

EP: 10.From ATS 2025: Analysis of Data Supporting PDE4 Inhibition in IPF

EP: 11.From ATS 2025: Analysis of Data Supporting PDE4 Inhibition in PPF

EP: 12.The Synergistic Approach: Exploring Potential for Combination Therapies in Fibrosis Control

EP: 13.Beyond the Data: Evidence-Based Decision-Making in IPF and PPF Management

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EP: 14.Future Directions: Addressing Persistent Challenges in Fibrosis Care

Improving outcomes for patients with IPF and PPF requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond just developing new drugs. A key need is reliable, easy-to-understand measures that reflect how patients actually feel and function—not just lab values or imaging. Understanding what truly causes symptoms like shortness of breath is critical, since current treatments may only make small improvements that patients don’t fully sense. Developing clinical end points that capture meaningful symptom relief would help patients recognize real benefits and increase confidence in therapies. Building muscle, addressing nutrition, and encouraging exercise are also important factors that affect patients’ overall well-being.

Alongside better clinical measures, addressing comorbidities and the broader patient experience is vital. Patients often face multiple health challenges, and managing these alongside fibrotic lung disease can improve quality of life and longevity. Education and motivation play big roles too—helping patients avoid a sense of helplessness and empowering them to take control can lead to better outcomes. Advances in digital health, such as algorithms that quantify fibrosis extent from imaging and tools for virtual monitoring, are promising ways to provide objective feedback and track disease progression in real time. This can help patients and providers make more informed decisions about when to intervene and how to optimize treatment.

Finally, improving outcomes depends on a systems-level approach that addresses health inequities and access to care. Reducing environmental risks, promoting healthy lifestyles, and ensuring rapid, equitable access to diagnostics and medications are essential. Biomarkers that reliably identify patients at risk for progression—or those who are stable—would transform care by enabling timely, personalized treatment decisions. By combining these advances in measurement, patient support, and health care delivery, the field can move toward truly meaningful improvements in the lives of people living with IPF and PPF.