Plain-English translation of NCT00373841 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are studying how idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a serious lung disease causing scarring) changes and worsens over time. By collecting blood samples, lung function measurements, heart imaging, and CT scans from patients, the research team hopes to identify patterns that help predict disease progression and eventually lead to better treatments.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is unpredictable—doctors don't yet have reliable ways to know which patients will decline quickly and which will progress slowly. This study aims to find biological markers in the blood and fluid from the lungs that could help predict outcomes and guide treatment decisions earlier.
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At your first visit, you'll have blood drawn, lung function tests, heart imaging (echocardiogram), and a CT scan of your chest, plus fill out questionnaires about how you're feeling. Then you'll return every 3–4 months for blood samples and every 6–8 months for questionnaires. If your lung function takes a sudden turn for the worse, doctors may perform a bronchoscopy (a procedure to collect fluid from your lungs) for additional testing. All results go into your research file to help doctors understand disease patterns.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 29, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Enrollment target
~500 participants
Started
October 2005
Primary completion
July 2030
Age range
18 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in August 2026.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Michelle MacPherson, MAT
University of Pittsburgh - Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.