Lung Transplantation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Patients in the European MultiPartner IPF Registry: Challenges for Health Equity

TL;DR

This study finds that lung transplants for IPF patients are rare in Central and Eastern Europe, with big differences between countries and age being a major barrier.

Contribution

The study is the first comprehensive analysis of lung transplant referral patterns in Central and Eastern Europe for IPF patients.

Findings

Only 7.5% of eligible IPF patients received lung transplants, with significant geographic disparities.

Lung transplant recipients were younger and had worse lung function compared to non-transplanted patients.

Age over 70 and comorbidities like heart or renal failure were the main reasons for exclusion from transplant listing.

Abstract

Background: Despite advancements in pharmacological therapy, lung transplantation (LuTX) remains the only life-prolonging treatment in end-stage idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, real-world referral patterns in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries remain poorly characterized. We aimed to comprehensively review factors influencing referral and identify systemic barriers to LuTX access. Methods: Baseline characteristics of IPF patients potentially eligible for LuTX, enrolled in the European MultiPartner IPF Registry between 2012 and 2022 (n = 1256), were retrospectively analyzed. LuTX (n = 94) and potentially eligible but not transplanted (n = 1162) subgroups were compared. National experts also completed a questionnaire assessing transplant referral and listing practices across different healthcare systems. Results: Only 7.5% of potentially eligible subjects were transplanted, revealing substantial geographic disparities, with Israel having the highest rates (43.1%), followed by Austria (9.5%), Hungary (7.8%), and the Czech Republic (4.6%). LuTX patients were younger (60.2 ± 7.4 vs. 62.6 ± 6.2 years, p < 0.001), had worse lung function (FVC 60 ± 15 vs. 74 ± 21% predicted; p < 0.001, TLCO 41 ± 15 vs. 49 ± 19% predicted; p < 0.001), and were more likely to receive antifibrotic and oxygen therapies. The most frequent reasons for exclusion from referral/listing were age > 70 years and concomitant heart/renal failure. Conclusions: This first comprehensive CEE analysis demonstrates low IPF transplant rates with high inter-country variability. Patients presenting early with functionally advanced disease are more likely transplanted, while advanced age remains the primary exclusion factor, highlighting critical access gaps potentially contributing to regional outcome differences.

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