What is the morbidity and mortality associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP)?

Answer

Morbidity and mortality in the United States is tracked closely by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Work Related Lung Disease Surveillance System (eWoRLD). For a more in-depth analysis and breakdown of demographics, see Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis from the CDC Web site.

Morbidity and mortality of hypersensitivity pneumonitis varies widely based on type, duration, and severity of exposure. Genetic factors may also play a significant role. In general, acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis and subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis without fibrotic changes respond completely or near completely to removal of the inciting exposure. Once fibrotic changes occur, however, prognosis is less favorable.^{[45, 46]}

Rarely, patients may progress to chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis despite exposure control and treatment. Similar to chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, emphysema develops initially with progression to irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Survival at that point is similar to that observed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Pulmonary hypertension is seen in 20% of cases of chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and carries worse prognosis.^[3]

From 2001-2010, there were 744 recorded deaths in the United States from hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Of these recorded deaths, 95.2% were white and 3% were black; 58.5% were male. This represents roughly 0.2-0.3 deaths per million, although this likely is an underrepresentation due to underreporting.^[47]

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Media Gallery

A 60-year-old dairy farmer had an 8-year history of intermittent dyspnea. Chest radiograph shows bilateral reticulonodular interstitial infiltration secondary to subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Chest radiograph of a patient with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis from pigeon breeder's disease. Bilateral reticulonodular densities are present.
High-resolution CT scan of lungs shows ground-glass opacification in the acute phase of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
The chronic phase of hypersensitivity pneumonitis shows honeycombing in the right upper lung and traction bronchiectasis.
High-resolution chest CT scan of a patient with subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis demonstrates centrilobular nodules. These nodules are unlike those of sarcoidosis, in which the nodules are subpleural and along bronchovascular bundles.
Light microscopy shows mononuclear infiltration and noncaseating granulomas usually observed in association with acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, but it also can be observed in subacute and chronic disease.
Giant cells are a characteristic feature of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis shows interstitial inflammation associated with fibrosis.

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Author

Caleb Hsieh, MD, MS Fellow in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Caleb Hsieh, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Nader Kamangar, MD, FACP, FCCP, FCCM Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Vice-Chair, Department of Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center

Nader Kamangar, MD, FACP, FCCP, FCCM is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Persian Physicians, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Critical Care Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, American Thoracic Society, Association of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Program Directors, Association of Specialty Professors, California Sleep Society, California Thoracic Society, Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Trudeau Society of Los Angeles, World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Daniel R Ouellette, MD, FCCP Associate Professor of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Medical Director, Pulmonary Medicine General Practice Unit (F2), Senior Staff and Attending Physician, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital

Daniel R Ouellette, MD, FCCP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, Society of Critical Care Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

John J Oppenheimer, MD Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School; Director of Clinical Research, Pulmonary and Allergy Associates, PA

John J Oppenheimer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, New Jersey Allergy, Asthma and Immunology society

Disclosure: Received research grant from: quintiles, PRA, ICON, Novartis: Adjudication<br/>Received consulting fee from AZ for consulting; Received consulting fee from Glaxo, Myelin, Meda for consulting; Received grant/research funds from Glaxo for independent contractor; Received consulting fee from Merck for consulting; Received honoraria from Annals of Allergy Asthma Immunology for none; Partner received honoraria from ABAI for none. for: Atlantic Health System.

Additional Contributors

Michael Peterson, MD Chief of Medicine, Vice-Chair of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine; Endowed Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco-Fresno, School of Medicine

Michael Peterson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Marine Demirjian, MD Resident Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, Ronald Reagan University of California in Los Angeles Medical Center

Marine Demirjian, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Medical Women's Association, and California Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC Professor and Head, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba; Site Director, Respiratory Medicine, St Boniface General Hospital

Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Thoracic Society, Canadian Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Royal Society of Medicine, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and World Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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