Memory difficulties feature in a small review of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
A review found an uneven pattern of cognitive difficulties in people with this lung disease, with memory most consistently affected and limited certainty.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Across the small body of evidence, memory was the most consistently affected area of cognition in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Difficulties were reported even in mild disease and were more pronounced alongside poorer respiratory or functional measures. These associations do not establish that lung disease directly caused the cognitive changes.
The review rated certainty as low to moderate because samples were small and cognitive testing varied. This abstract-only summary cannot quantify how common impairment was or establish benefits from cognitive screening.
Which abilities were affected
Working memory and verbal memory were the domains most consistently affected, followed by processing speed and executive function. Language and visuospatial abilities were affected less often, suggesting an uneven pattern across different types of cognitive testing.
How cognition related to other measures
More pronounced cognitive impairment was reported alongside poorer lung gas transfer, shorter walking distance, larger oxygen drops and obstructive sleep apnea. These are associations within the reviewed evidence; they do not establish which condition came first.
The original publication
Neurocognitive Impairment in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence.
Mihart D, Crisan AF, Carunta V et al.
Med Sci (Basel) · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41440520
- Record checked
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