Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years or older. * Established diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis per the 2023 ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT clinical practice guideline, based on a multidisciplinary assessment incorporating clinical features, high-resolution computed tomography pattern, and, where available, surgical lung biopsy. * Hospital admission for acute exacerbation of IPF meeting the 2016 International Working Group criteria: previous or concurrent IPF diagnosis; acute worsening or development of dyspnea of less than one month duration; computed tomography showing new bilateral ground-glass abnormality or consolidation superimposed on a background pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia; deterioration not fully explained by cardiac failure or fluid overload and triggered exacerbations would be included. * Admission within 72 hours of symptomatic worsening. * Written informed consent from the patient or legally authorized representative. Exclusion Criteria: * Alternative explanation for acute respiratory deterioration confirmed at or shortly after admission, including but not limited to microbiologically confirmed bacterial pneumonia with positive blood or respiratory culture, computed-tomography-confirmed pulmonary embolism, cardiogenic pulmonary edema with elevated brain natriuretic peptide and supportive echocardiographic findings, or pneumothorax. * Interstitial lung disease attributable to a defined cause: connective-tissue-disease-associated ILD, chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, occupational pneumoconiosis, sarcoidosis, or drug-induced ILD. * Active solid or hematologic malignancy, including any malignancy under active treatment within the preceding 12 months. * Receipt of cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or non-IPF immunosuppressive therapy (excluding maintenance corticosteroid at prednisolone-equivalent $\\le$ 10 mg daily) within the preceding 30 days. * Primary hematologic disorder altering the complete blood count, including leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, aplastic anemia, or known immune-mediated cytopenia. * Anticipated transfer to another facility within 72 hours of admission.