Whether lung fibrosis is rare depends on the specific type and the population considered. While some forms might be considered relatively rare, others are more prevalent, especially in older adults.
Understanding Lung Fibrosis
Lung fibrosis (PF) represents a group of over 200 different lung conditions characterized by scarring of the lung tissue, making it difficult to breathe.
Prevalence of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
One specific type of lung fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has a notable prevalence. According to recent estimates:
- IPF affects approximately 1 in 200 adults over the age of 70 in the United States.
- There are over 250,000 Americans living with PF today.
This suggests that, at least for IPF, the condition is not exceptionally rare, particularly in older populations. Given that IPF is just one type of PF, the total number of people affected by some form of lung fibrosis may be even higher.
