Background

Two antifibrotic medications, pirfenidone and nintedanib, are approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Little is known about their real-world adoption.

Research question

What are the real-world antifibrotic utilization rates and factors associated with uptake among a national cohort of veterans with IPF?

Study design and methods

This study identified veterans with IPF who received care either provided by the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System or non-VA care paid for by the VA. Patients who had filled at least one antifibrotic prescription through the VA pharmacy or Medicare Part D between October 15, 2014, and December 31, 2019, were identified. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with antifibrotic uptake, accounting for comorbidities, facility clustering, and follow-up time. Fine-Gray models were used to evaluate antifibrotic use by demographic factors, accounting for the competing risk of death.

Results

Among 14,792 veterans with IPF, 17% received antifibrotics. There were significant disparities in adoption, with lower uptake associated with female sex (adjusted OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.27-0.63; P < .001), Black race (adjusted OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.49-0.73; P < .001), and rural residence (adjusted OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-0.97; P = .012). Veterans who received their index diagnosis of IPF outside the VA were less likely to receive antifibrotic therapy (adjusted OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.10-0.22; P < .001).

Interpretation

This study is the first to evaluate the real-world adoption of antifibrotic medications among veterans with IPF. Overall uptake was low, and there were significant disparities in use. Interventions to address these issues deserve further investigation.