The epidemiology of organizing pneumonia in Iceland

• Published in: Thorax
• Main Authors: Gudmundsson, Gunnar, Sveinsson, Olafur, Isaksson, Helgi J, Jonsson, Steinn, Frodadottir, Halla, Aspelund, Thor
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2006
• Subjects: Papers; Iceland
• Online Access: http://thorax.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/thx.2006.059469v1; https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.2006.059469

Background : Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) represents what has also been called Idiopathic Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing Pneumonia. In secondary organizing pneumonia (SOP) causes can be identified or it occurs in a characteristic clinical context. Aim : The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and epidemiological features of COP and SOP nationwide in Iceland over an extended period. Methods : A retrospective study of OP in Iceland over twenty years was conducted and epidemiology and survival were studied. All pathology reports of patients diagnosed with or suspected of having COP or SOP in the period 1984-2003 were identified and all pathology samples were re-evaluated using strict diagnostic criteria. Results : After re-evaluation 104 patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria for OP, 58 as COP and 46 as SOP. The mean annual incidence for OP was 1.97/100,000 inhabitants. Annual incidence for COP was 1.10/100,000 and 0.87/100,000 for SOP. The mean age at diagnosis was 67 years with a wide age range. The most common cause of death was lung diseases other than OP and only one patient died from OP. Patients with OP had decreased survival compared to the general population but there was no statistical difference between COP and SOP. Conclusion: The incidence of OP is higher than previously reported, suggesting that OP needs to be thought of more often than has been done in the past.