Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (Including Environmental Assessment): Diagnosis and Management

This article aims to provide an overview on the diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). We will focus on the issues surrounding the lack of an international consensus on the diagnosis of HP, and review the existing treatment options for HP.Recent FindingsThere is emerging international consensus that HP should be classified based on clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features and not solely on disease duration. Environmental assessment and antigen avoidance remains the most important step in managing HP. Antifibrotics may soon become a viable option for chronic HP in the near future. Well-designed prospective controlled studies are underway.SummarySubstantial gaps still remain in our understanding of the diagnosis and management of HP. Further research should focus on establishing internationally accepted diagnostic criteria and clinical practice guidelines to aid the clinician in the challenging treatment of patients with HP.
Source: Current Respiratory Care Reports - Category: Respiratory Medicine Source Type: research