Genomic classifier for usual interstitial pneumonia combined with bronchoalveolar lavage cellular profile: potential use in the clinical management of new onset ILD?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive fibrotic interstitial lung disease (fILD) of unknown cause characterised by a radiological and/or histopathological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) [1]. IPF occurs primarily in older males and is associated with poor quality of life and early mortality [2]. The diagnosis of IPF requires a multidisciplinary discussion among experts experienced in interstitial lung disease (ILD) with integration of clinical, laboratory, radiological and lung histopathology data in the appropriate patient [3]. In patients suspected to have IPF and/or new onset ILD, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocytosis may also be useful to suggest diagnoses other than IPF [4].