BACKGROUND:

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a subtype of interstitial lung disease (ILD) that significantly affects people's quality of life, whose prevalence and mortality has increased.

AIM:

To determine the prevalence and lethality of ILD in the Los Ríos Region between the years 2018 and 2019.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Review of a database of all patients attended at an outpatient clinic of the regional hospital. Those patients with the diagnosis of ILD and seen between 2018 and 2019 were selected. Mortality and its causes were verified with death certificates.

RESULTS:

In the study period, 339 cases with ILD, aged 71 ± 10 years (64% women) were identified. The calculated ILD prevalence was 84 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with a higher predominancy in Futrono and Paillaco communes. IPF and Connective Tissue Diseases were the predominant subtypes. Overall lethality was 18%, with more deaths among patients with IPF (n = 31).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the Los Ríos Region, ILDs have a relevant prevalence and lethality.