Limited data is available on the epidemiological burden of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) for countries such as Greece. As such, the objective of the current retrospective observational cohort study was to examine the temporal trends (2019-2023) in annual incidence and prevalence rates of IPF for Greece as well as demographics determinants.

Prescription data of anti-fibrotic agents, namely pirfenidone and nintedanib (Ofev®), executed between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2023, were extracted from the National Electronic Prescription Database (IDIKA). The diagnosis of IPF was based on the ICD-10 codes of the anti-fibrotic prescriptions. Population data were obtained in September 2024 from the latest national census (2021).

In a total cohort of 2,583 patients with IPF diagnosis, the majority were male patients (74.2%) above 66 years old (84.5%). We detected increasing annual prevalence rates throughout the follow-up period, with a mean annual rate of 14.4 cases/100,000 population. The mean annual incidence rate was 4.6 cases/100,000 population. Using univariate models, we demonstrate that the epidemiology of IPF over time is confounded by demographic parameters such as age, sex and region. Multivariate models further confirmed the higher prevalence and incidence rates in older people while regional disparities were evident with higher rates in less urban regions.

Collectively, this is the most representative study concerning epidemiology of IPF in Greece. These observations could be of great assistance for healthcare policy makers in terms of improving the therapeutic management of IPF as well as the development of prevention and screening strategies.