IPF causes

My dad was just diagnosed with IPF. I know that generally they dont know how one gets IPF hence the idiopathic. but in the cases where the cause is known what are some of the causes? My father was a very healthy 66 year old male extremely active as he had been his whole life. he developed pneumonia towards the end of 2005 but got over fairly easily. then in february of 2006 he had his right knee replaced and the Anesthesiologist placed him under general anesthesia for the operation. However the Anesthesiologist missed something that appeared to be fluid in his lungs prior to his surgery. Since the surgery he has gone down hill and on thursday the 8th was diagnosed with IPF. My main question is, could there be a link between the general anesthesia he was put under for his surgery and the development of IPF? or is it a coincidence. also I under stand most who are diagnosed are in their 40's and 50's does being near seventy make a less likely candidate for lung transplant because of age? single lung transplant is one of the considerations his doctor gave him. Just wanting some professional opinions. Thanks alot.

[National Jewish]

The cause(s) of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remain unknown.  However controlling gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has been shown to stabilize IPF.  There is no proven link between anesthetics and IPF.

It is important to distinguish IPF from a variety of other lung diseases in which fibrosis occurs.  These would include industrial lung diseases such as silicosis and asbestosis.  The first manifestation of IPF might have been the pneumonia that your father developed in 2005 or the "fluid in his lungs" prior to his surgery in February 2006.  Please read our interstitial lung disease information at http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/rheum/ild/index.aspx to learn more.

[dustinlevengood]

Anyone?