The eighth edition of the International Meeting on Pulmonary Hypertension Clinical Treatment (IMPAHCT), promoted by the pharmaceutical company Ferrer, has brought together nearly 200 international specialists in Barcelona to advance in the approach to rare, complex and progressive lung diseases.
Over the years, IMPAHCT has established itself as an international forum of reference in pulmonary hypertension (PH), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). In this edition, the congress has continued to evolve to offer a broader and more integrated vision, specifically addressing other rare lung pathologies such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).
The program reflected the shared challenges between these diseases such as early diagnosis, disease progression, and therapeutic strategies. In addition, new evidence in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) was presented, underlining the importance of continuous research and knowledge exchange to improve the clinical management of these highly complex and low-prevalence pathologies.
In a transversal way, the event focused on the delay in diagnosis due to the overlap of symptoms with more prevalent pathologies, the need for early referral to expert centers, the difficulties of access to diagnostic and screening tools, and the impact that a long and complex care journey has on the experience and well-being of patients. Likewise, the relevance of moving towards more equitable, coordinated and inclusive care, which also incorporates psychosocial support, was highlighted.
In this context, David Ferrando, Chief Marketing & Market Access Officer at Ferrer, pointed out that "at Ferrer we understand health as a fundamental right, and this reality is especially evident in rare diseases, where diagnostic delay and inequalities in access continue to be a barrier. IMPAHCT was born with the desire to generate knowledge and collaboration to contribute to a fairer and more equitable care."
For his part, Jorge Cuneo, Chief Medical Officer of Ferrer, highlighted the role of the event as a space for scientific and clinical collaboration, stressing that "the approach to rare lung diseases requires sharing knowledge, experience and good practices among professionals, with the common goal of improving clinical practice and the impact on the lives of patients".
The eighth edition of IMPAHCT thus reinforces its role as an international platform for the exchange of knowledge and joint reflection on the clinical and healthcare challenges of rare lung diseases. Through initiatives such as this event, Ferrer reaffirms its commitment to innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration and the construction of a fairer and more people-centred healthcare ecosystem.
The information contained in this news is for corporate and informational purposes only and does not constitute advertising for medicines.
About pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a disease caused by different pathologies and characterized by the development of molecular and anatomical changes in the pulmonary blood circulation, which result in an abnormal increase in pulmonary arterial pressure (> 20 mmHg)1. It affects approximately 1% of the world's population (a value that can reach up to 10% in people over 65 years of age) and about 80% of people living with PH live in developing countries2.
The different pathologies associated with PH are characterized, above all, by shortness of breath, fatigue and intolerance to exertion, which usually evolve into respiratory failure and, finally, lead to death. Although there is no cure for some types of PH, important steps have been taken in terms of knowledge, clinical management, and prognosis that have changed the perspective on the disease and improved quality of life1.
About pulmonary arterial hypertension
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition that causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the lungs, thereby increasing the pressure in the pulmonary arteries. This forces the right side of the heart to work harder than normal to push blood through these ducts and can eventually lead to right ventricular failure and premature death. It is estimated that in Europe it affects between 15 and 50 people per million inhabitants, and has a higher prevalence in women than in men1.
Although its cause is unknown in most cases, PAH may have a genetic origin or be associated with other conditions. The most frequent symptoms are those that usually occur in pulmonary hypertension: shortness of breath, fatigue, intolerance to exertion, chest pain, dizziness, and fainting. PAH has a great impact on the quality of life and social-emotional state of patients and their caregivers.
About pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of pulmonary pathologies characterized by marked scarring or fibrosis of the bronchioles and alveolar sacs within the lungs, preventing proper oxygenation3,4. Interstitial lung disease-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH-ILD) is a type of pulmonary hypertension that arises in patients with ILD when pulmonary connective tissue involvement damages or narrows blood vessels.
This disease can present with a wide range of symptoms, including those typical of PID (shortness of breath, fatigue and dry cough) aggravated by the presence of pulmonary hypertension. This complicates the evolution of patients and is associated with a decrease in quality of life, an increased risk of hospitalizations, and higher mortality3,4,5.
About idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease in which lung tissue is damaged and scarring occurs that progressively replaces healthy tissue. It is characterized by a progressive loss of the lungs' ability to transfer oxygen to the blood and is the most common of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. IPF rarely appears before the age of 40 and is estimated to affect between 3.3 and 45.1 people per 100,000 worldwide6.
Its cause is unknown, although it may be associated with smoking, certain genetic predispositions and risk factors such as gastroesophageal reflux, certain viral infections, environmental pollution and some occupational exposures. The disease can present with a wide range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, and fatigue, ultimately resulting in respiratory failure and death. IPF is a serious disease and has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Its burden includes high medical costs, dependency on care, and limited survival after diagnosis (2 to 5 years if left untreated7).
References
1 - Humbert M, Kovacs G, Hoeper MM, et al. 2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension [published correction appears in Eur Heart J. 2023 Apr 17; 44(15):1312]. Eur Heart J. 2022; 43(38):3618-3731
2- Hoeper MM, Humbert M, Souza R, Idrees M, Kawut SM, Sliwa-Hahnle K, et al. A global view of pulmonary hypertension. Lancet Respir Med. 2016 Apr; 4(4):306-22.
3 - Shlobin OA, Adir Y, Barbera JA, Cottin V, Harari S, Jutant EM, et al. Pulmonary hypertension associated with lung diseases. Eur Respir J. 2024 Oct 31; 64(4):2401200.
4- Piccari L, Allwood B, Antoniou K, Chung JH, Hassoun PM, Nikkho SM, et al. Pathogenesis, clinical features, and phenotypes of pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease: A consensus statement from the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute's Innovative Drug Development Initiative - Group 3 Pulmonary Hypertension. Pulm Circ. 2023 Apr 1; 13(2):e12213.
5 - Nikkho SM, Richter MJ, Shen E, Abman SH, Antoniou K, Chung J, et al. Clinical significance of pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease: A consensus statement from the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute's innovative drug development initiative-Group 3 pulmonary hypertension. Pulm Circ. 2022 Jul 1; 12(3): e12127.
6 - Maher TM, Bendstrup E, Dron L, Langley J, Smith G, Khalid JM, et al. Global incidence and prevalence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Res. 2021 Jul 7; 22(1):197.
7- Molina-Molina M, Aburto M, Acosta O, Ancochea J, Rodríguez-Portal JA, Sauleda J, et al. Importance of early diagnosis and treatment in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2018 Jul; 12(7):537-539.
