OBJECTIVES: To determine the use of healthcare resources and associated costs in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) according to their forced vital capacity (FVC) and the administered treatment in the daily clinical practice.

METHODS: A longitudinal (retrospective), multicentre observational study was conducted using electronical medical records from different primary care centers (31) and specialized hospitals (4) in Catalonia. Data from patients diagnosed with IPF (incident cases) who received medical care during 2013-2015 and met certain inclusion/exclusion criteria were included. Patient follow-up was from the time of diagnosis to completing one year (2013-2016). Study groups: a) FVC=50-80% and b) FVC>80%. Main study variables: comorbidities, exacerbations, mortality (all causes), overall survival, therapies and direct and indirect costs. Multiple linear regression model was included in the statistical analysis, p<0.05.

RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Use of healthcare resources and associated costs of IPF were mainly related to age, exacerbations and FVC. Pirfenidone could be associated with lower exacerbations and higher overall survival.