Older Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Male Patients Are at a Higher Risk of Nintedanib Dose Reduction

Background:Two pharmaceutical agents have been approved for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF): pirfenidone and nintedanib.Objectives:We investigated the need of dose reduction in consecutive patients treated with nintedanib in relation to gender and body max index, comparing the population over and under 80 years of age.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed the data of all consecutive IPF patients treated with nintedanib for at least 3 months. Data on age, gender, body max index, side effects, and duration of therapy after enrolment were recorded.Results:A total of 82 patients has been evaluated. All dose reductions were related to side effects and/or toxicities. The need for a dose reduction was significantly more frequent in patients aged 80 years or older (50 vs. 26.8%,p= 0.039), independently from their body mass index. A total of 52% of males >80 years and only 16% of males <80 years reduced the dose (p= 0.002).Conclusions:Male gender and not body mass index in IPF patients aged >= 80 years treated with nintedanib seems to influence dose reduction.