TABLE 5.

Likelihood of a benefit after prolonged therapy with immunosuppressants in progressive pulmonary fibrosis

Increased likelihood of a benefit after prolonged therapy with immunosuppressants	Decreased likelihood of a benefit after prolonged therapy with immunosuppressants
OP pattern	UIP pattern
NSIP patterns	Older age
Myositis-ILD	Recurrent infections
Younger age	Absence of clinical or physiological improvement, with increased risk of side effects
Non-pulmonary symptoms that flare up on stoppage
Previous objective response to corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive therapy in the disease course

OP: organising pneumonia; NSIP: non-specific interstitial pneumonia; ILD: interstitial lung disease; UIP: usual interstitial pneumonia.