The research group in Pneumology of Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), belonging to the CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), has carried out the largest study carried out so far by a single centre in patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (NHC). On the one hand, they have determined that the median survival of these patients is 7 years and that at 5 years of diagnosis, survival is 68.5%. In a novel way, this study also analyses which factors are those that influence the loss of lung function over time.This work, published in the journal https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/all.13692 Allergy, is also a pioneer in addressing other relevant aspects such as the impact that the disease has on the quality of life, by evaluating factors such as the presence of dyspnea, anxiety and depression, among others.NHC is a rare disease characterized by bronchoalveolar inflammation that, in some genetically predisposed people, is caused by the inhalation of substances, usually organic, such as bird or fungal antigens. However, the etiology is diverse, with more than 100 agents that can cause the disease. It is a serious disease with a poor prognosis in the medium term so the early and accurate diagnosis of the disease is essential. Knowing the antigen that causes it, which is not always possible, could prevent its progression in early stages of the disease. In this way, the consequent loss of lung capacity and the onset of respiratory failure as a consequence of the development of pulmonary fibrosis, factors that condition the patient's survival, could be avoided or delayed.The objective of this study was to analyse which clinical, physiological, tomographic and histological characteristics could predict the long-term survival of patients with NHC. "160 patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 participated and who were followed for at least one year in the interstitial consultation of the Hospital de Vall d'Hebron Pneumology Service, which represents the largest sample of patients with NHC described. to date", explains Dr. Xavier Muñoz, principal investigator of the Neurology group of VHIR and CIBERES and deputy physician of the Neurology Service of Vall d'Hebron."In addition, the most complete immunological study has been carried out in patients with this disease, which has been possible thanks to the Hospital Vall d'Hebron a reference centre for this minority disease," added Dr. Muñoz. In 75% of the participants the antigen causing the NHC was known.Thus, the factors associated with a lower survival of patients as demonstrated by the study are: a greater age at diagnosis, a low percentage of lymphocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage, pulmonary function factors such as a decrease in the carbon monoxide transfer factor, the presence of a honeycomb on high-resolution chest CT and a histological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia.Regarding the study of the factors that influence the quality of life of people with NHC, the follow-up interviews revealed that 50% of the patients who suffer from its present a picture of anxiety and 28.6% of depression. The presence of dyspnea is the main cause of loss of quality of life, reason why specialists insist on the importance of early diagnosis and adequate treatment to prevent the deterioration of quality of life.In addition, "the early referral of patients to referral centres with pulmonary transplant programs, such as Vall d'Hebron, which is the first centre in the State that exceeds 1,000 lung transplants, and focus our efforts on new research is extremely important. therapeutic options", concludes Dr. Iñigo Ojanguren, researcher of the Pneumology group of the VHIR and pneumologist of Vall d'Hebron.