Known causes for pulmonary fibrosis include:
Autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis, as well as connective tissue
diseases, collagen vascular diseases, or rheumatologic diseases that affect the
immune system. In these cases the body’s own immune system may attack the
lungs, causing inflammation and scarring. These include:
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Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Polymyositis/dermatomyositis
Workplace exposures, typically inhaled into the lungs over time, including, but not
limited to:
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Asbestos
Silica
Coal dust
Beryllium
Grain dust
Hard metal dusts
Environmental exposures, including, but not limited to, extended exposure to birds,
molds, and hot tubs.
Medications - these include:
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Chemotherapy drugs (methotrexate or bleomycin)
Heart medications (amiodarone or propranolol)
Antibiotics (nitrofurantoin and sulfasalazine)
Antiseizure drugs
Systemic diseases, such as sarcoidosis.
Radiation treatments, often related to cancer treatment.
Genetics -In about 10% to 15% of cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, more
than one family member becomes afflicted with the disease. This is called familial
pulmonary fibrosis (FPF) or familial interstitial pneumonia (FIP). New research
indicates that this may be caused by genetic abnormalities, but genetic testing is
not typically performed for IPF. If more than one person in your family had been
diagnosed with some form of PF, ask your pulmonologist (lung doctor) about genetic
counseling and evaluation.
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