On April 7, BREATH, the Hanoverian site of the German Center for Lung Research, hosted the fourth patient seminar on pulmonary fibrosis under the direction of Prof. Dr. med. Antje Prasse, Senior Physician at the Clinicof Pulmonology of the Hannover Medical School (MHH). The event offers those affected and their relatives the opportunity to find out about the specifics and special requirements of their illness. With more than 200 registrations, the number of participants was far higher than in the previous year.

The program was very diverse again this year. Prof. Prasse opened the seminar with an overview of the clinical picture and informed about the latest treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis. Only about five of 100,000 inhabitants are affected by this rare disease, so a timely diagnosis outside specialist centers is often a challenge. It is, therefore, even more helpful for those affected to be informed about new research results on their disease by the experts present.

The following talk by Rosa-Marie Apel, assistant doctor in the special outpatient pulmonary fibrosis led by Prof. Prasse, not only gave a theoretical account of the importance of exercise and sports in pulmonary fibrosis, but she also demonstrated and practiced lung sport exercises together with the visitors.

Klaus Geißler and Dagmar Kauschka, patient representatives of the self-help organization LungenfibrO2e e.V., were again on site. Mr Geissler called for a better networking of the self-help associations among themselves, also at the European level, in order to raise awareness on the disease. Mrs Kauschka reported on her experience in making applications for severe disability, a topic that affects many participants.
As one of the leading pulmonology specialist centers, the MHH Clinic of Pulmonology, with its own study center, is involved in key global clinical trials. Dr. Julia Freise, Director of the Study Center, informed about current and planned clinical studies on pulmonary fibrosis from which patients can benefit.
The patient seminar was accompanied by an industrial exhibition of the sponsors, without whose financial support the patient seminar could not have taken place.

Further information can be obtained at the special outpatient clinic on pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung diseases at the MHH Clinic for Pulmonology.

Appointments at: www.mhh-lunge.de