American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the only intervention shown to improve survival in selected patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)?

1. Inhaled corticosteroids

2. Antifungal therapy

3. Lung transplantation

4. Oxygen therapy

The correct answer is: Lung transplantation

The correct answer is lung transplantation. This intervention is unique in its ability to significantly improve survival for selected patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which is a progressive and often fatal lung disease characterized by scarring of the lung tissue. In patients with advanced IPF who meet specific criteria, lung transplantation offers a chance at increased survival and an improved quality of life. Lung transplantation is indicated for patients with severe and progressive disease that is unresponsive to medical therapies. It can effectively replace the damaged lungs, thereby restoring respiratory function and addressing the underlying progression of the disease. The outcomes for lung transplant recipients with IPF have shown promising survival rates compared to the natural history of the disease without transplantation. Other interventions, such as inhaled corticosteroids, antifungal therapy, and oxygen therapy, primarily focus on symptom management or palliative care rather than altering the disease course or improving survival. Inhaled corticosteroids have not demonstrated a substantial survival benefit in IPF, antifungal therapy is not relevant to IPF itself, and while oxygen therapy is essential for managing hypoxemia, it does not affect the underlying disease progression or improve overall survival in patients with IPF. Therefore, lung transplantation stands out as the only effective intervention for improving survival in this