Preliminary Research for Developing a Pattern Identification Tool for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a standard tool for identifying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patterns.Methods: Textbooks, published literature, and references with comments on patterns were reviewed. Using the Delphi method, we determined pattern identification based on the advice of a committee consisting of 11 Korean respiratory internal medicine professors.Results: Four pattern identifications were selected by the Delphi method: qi difficiency (氣虛), yin difficiency (陰虛), phlegm dampness (痰飮), blood stasis (瘀血). The tool was developed in a question-and-answer format containing 38 questions.Conclusions: An IPF pattern identification tool that can analyze IPF patterns for standardized diagnostics was developed with the consent of experts. Further research is needed on its reliability.