C: Who is at risk from pulmonary fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis can develop for several different reasons, and understanding these risk factors is an important part of early recognition and diagnosis. In this video, Professor Porter explains why a family history of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis increases risk, how autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis can lead to lung scarring, and how environmental exposures, smoking and certain treatments can also contribute to the development of pulmonary fibrosis.

 

🎥 Watch the Video: Who is at risk from pulmonary fibrosis?

 

Professor Porter discusses the following:

• Who is at risk from pulmonary fibrosis?
• Is having a relative with pulmonary fibrosis a risk factor?
• Is pulmonary fibrosis genetic?
• How do rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis affect the lungs?
• What exposures can cause pulmonary fibrosis?
• Can you get pulmonary fibrosis from smoking?
• Can radiotherapy cause pulmonary fibrosis?

 

Full Video Transcript

We know that one of the big risk factors for developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is to have a first degree relative with the disease. So it’s very important, if you know that you come from a family where pulmonary fibrosis is prevalent, that you do bear this in mind if you develop any shortness of breath.

For the other diseases, we know that a third of the patients we see have an underlying autoimmune rheumatic disease. So, these are diseases that you’ll have heard of, like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, and many of these patients will develop interstitial lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis.

And then there are a third of patients who develop fibrosis because of exposure to pollutants. We know that smoking is a risk factor. And we know that some drugs and some treatments, such as radiotherapy, can cause scarring of the lung. So there are many different causes.

 

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[Video published December 2025]