Background: Studies of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) epidemiology show regional variations of
incidence and prevalence; no epidemiological studies have been carried out in Italy. Objective: To determine incidence
and prevalence rates of IPF in the population of a large Italian region.Methods: in this cross-sectional study
study data were collected on all patients of 18 years of age and older admitted as primary or secondary idiopathic
fibrosing alveolitis (ICD9-CM 516.3) to Lazio hospitals, from 1/1/2005 to 31/12/2009, using regional hospital
discharge, population and cause of death databases. Reporting accuracy was assessed on a random sample of hospital
charts carrying the ICD9-CM 516.3, 516.8, 516.9 and 515 codes, by reviewing radiology and pathology
findings to define cases as IPF “confident”, “possible” or “inconsistent”. Results: Annual prevalence and incidence
of IPF were estimated at 25.6 per 100,000 and 7.5 per 100,000 using the ICD9-CM code 516.3 without chart
audit while they were estimated at 31.6 per 100,000 and at 9,3 per 100,000 for the IPF “confident” definition after
hospital chart audit. Conclusion: The data provide a first estimate of IPF incidence in Italy and indicate that incidence
and prevalence in southern European regions may be similar to those observed in northern Europe and
North America. (Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2014; 31: 191-197