Objective      To explore a new approach for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

and to compare the clinical effect of intravenous injection of large doses of glucocorticoids (80-120 mg/d) combined with N-acetylcysteine with that of small doses of glucocorticoids (80 mg/d) combined with N-acetylcysteine.       Methods      According to the inclusion cr

iteria

35 subjects were enrolled and divided into a treatment group (large doses of glucocorticoids) and a control group (small doses of glucocorticoids). The p(O

2

)

p(CO

2

)

FVC%pred

FEV1%pred

VC%pred

TLC%pred

DLCO/VA%pred

symptom scores

HRCT changes and adverse reactions of the two groups were observed after three-month treatment.       Results      After the treatment for three months

p(O

2

) and pulmonary function (FVC%pred

FEV1%pred

VC%pred

TLC%pred

and DLCO/VA%pred) of both groups increased

p(CO

2

) decreased

and symptom scores increased as compared with those before treatment. The differences were statistically significant (P0.05). However

HRCT showed no significant difference before and after the treatment (P0.05). As compared with those of the control group

FVC%pred

VC%pred and DLCO/VA%pred of the treatment group improved significantly (P0.05).       Conclusion      Compared with the small doses of glucocorticoid combined with N-acetylcysteine

intravenous injection of large doses glucocorticoid combined with N-acetylcysteine in treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis can better improve FVC%pred

VC%pred and DLCO/VA%pred

and relieve general symptoms with no obvious side effects in a short term.