Autoimmune symptoms in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: clinical significance.

Background And Aims: Information regarding autoimmune symptoms that do not meet the diagnostic criteria for connective tissue disease in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in the clinical characteristics and prognosis of IPF patients with and without autoimmune symptoms.

Methods: Consecutive patients diagnosed with IPF (N = 96) from January 2008 to December 2012 were included.