COPD vs. Pulmonary Fibrosis WisdomCard™

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There is significant overlap in the symptoms and functional deficits of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis.¹ Pulmonary fibrosis describes the end result of lungs that have been damaged and have scar tissue. The damaged lungs of patients with COPD can also display changes consistent with pulmonary fibrosis. COPD is usually defined by the presence of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (also referred to as IPF) is a distinct inflammatory condition of the lungs, and it's a condition of unknown origin. It is also characterized by excessive scarring and replacement of lung tissue with abnormal fibrous tissue.

Fast Facts:

• COPD affects nearly 12 million people in the U.S. and is the fourth most common cause of death.²
• In the U.S., there are about 200,000 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed annually.³
• There is at least one clinical trial underway to evaluate the use of adult stem cells to treat patients with moderate to severe COPD.⁴

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