IntroductionInterstitial lung diseases consist of a range of lung disorders, the most prevalent being idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). IPF is a chronic, progressive disease, resulting in loss of lung function and potentially significant impacts on quality of life. There is an increasing need to address unmet needs in this population as there is evidence that unmet needs may impact quality of life and health outcomes. The key objective of this scoping review is to define the unmet needs of patients living with a diagnosis of IPF and to identify gaps in the literature relating to unmet needs. Findings will inform the development of services and the introduction of patient-centred clinical care guidelines for IPF.Methods and analysisThis scoping review is guided by the methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist is used for guidance. The following databases will be searched: CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Embase and ASSIA and include a comprehensive grey literature search. The review will report on adult patients >18 with a diagnosis of IPF or pulmonary fibrosis and be limited to publications from 2011 onwards, with no language restrictions applied. Two independent reviewers will screen articles in consecutive stages for relevance against the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data will be extracted using a predefined data extraction form and analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis. Findings will be presented in tabular form, coupled with a narrative summary of the evidence.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required for this scoping review protocol. We will disseminate our findings using traditional approaches that include open access peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations.

Background: Mortality rates within the Irish farming community are increasing, whilst that of the general population falls. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory disease amongst Irish farmers.Methods: All study participants were farming volunteers attending an agricultural exhibition. Data collected by questionnaire included baseline demographics, respiratory history, presence of respiratory symptoms and occupational exposures. Spirometry was performed on all participants.Results: Data from 372 farmers was analysed. The majority were male (76%) with median age of 55 years. 61% were never smokers. 13% were previously diagnosed with airway disease (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)/Asthma/Inhaler use) with 14% reporting hayfever/allergies. Almost two-thirds reported one or more chronic respiratory symptom. Forty-four (12%) had obstructive spirometry using fixed FEV1/FVC < 0.70 criterion and 29 (7.8%) using FEV1/FVC < 5% lower limit of normal. The majority, two-thirds, were never smokers. Amongst never smokers with obstruction (13%), there was a significantly higher proportion with a prior diagnosis of airway disease and hayfever/allergies. There was no significant association between specific occupational exposures and obstruction.Conclusion: The majority of Irish farmers are never smokers. They have a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms. 13% of never smokers have airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.70). The presence of airflow obstruction is significantly associated with self-reported allergy history and prior airway disease. Further studies are needed to identify the workplace factors accounting for these findings. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Introduction: International studies have shown a high prevalence of respiratory complaints amongst agricultural workers however there is little data regarding the prevalence of respiratory disease in the Irish farming population. A recent study has shown that Irish farmer9s general health has lagged behind other professions for unclear reasons. Aim: We undertook a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and airways disease amongst Irish farmers. Methods: A key component was respiratory scientist measured spirometry. Investigator-delivered questionnaires collected baseline demographics, symptom data and possible exposures. All study participants were farming volunteers. Spirometry results were correlated with variables related to respiratory disease. Results: Data on 372 farming volunteers was included for analysis. Majority were male (76%) with median age 55 years. 61% were never smokers. 44(12%) had obstructive spirometry(Fixed FEV1/FVC ratio <0.70). Of those, two-thirds were never smokers. The presence of obstruction in never smokers was significantly associated with prior diagnosis of airways disease and self-reported hayfever/allergy, p<0.01. Almost two-thirds reported one or more respiratory symptom. There was no significant correlation between the presence of airflow obstruction and home/occupational exposures. Conclusion: This large comprehensive assessment of lung disease in Irish farmers demonstrates a remarkably high prevalence of obstructive lung disease in non-smoking subjects compared with international levels. More detailed studies are needed to identify the workplace factors accounting for these findings.