you attend the first study visit after joining the trial. during this visit, a series of baseline measurements are performed.

your lung function is measured with spirometry (tests how much air you can exhale) and dlco (tests how well oxygen moves from your lungs into the blood).

you complete a 6‑minute walk test, in which you walk as far as possible in six minutes while a technician records the distance.

you answer two questionnaires about respiratory quality of life: the sgrq and the king’s brief ild.

your weight and blood pressure are recorded, and the investigator looks for any identifiable cause of your disease (causal antigen).

based on a computer‑generated random process, you are assigned to receive either the active drug prednisolone or a matching placebo.

you are given a supply of oral tablets that dissolve in the mouth. the tablets are identical in appearance for both groups.

if you are in the prednisolone group, you take a total of 40 mg each day, which corresponds to eight 5‑mg tablets, taken by mouth once daily.

if you are in the placebo group, you take the same number of tablets on the same schedule.

the medication is taken for a period of six months, unless your doctor decides to stop it earlier because of safety reasons.

three months after the first visit, you return for a follow‑up assessment.

lung function tests (spirometry and dlco) are repeated to see how your lungs are responding.

your weight and blood pressure are measured again, and you are asked about any side effects such as weight gain or high blood pressure.

any adverse events that occurred since the last visit are recorded.

six months after enrollment, you attend a comprehensive evaluation that includes the primary study measurement.

the same lung function tests (spirometry and dlco) are performed, and the change in forced vital capacity (fvc) from the baseline visit is calculated.

a 6‑minute walk test and the two quality‑of‑life questionnaires (sgrq and king’s brief ild) are repeated.

weight, blood pressure, and any side effects are checked again, and the need for any additional treatment is assessed.

one year after the start of the trial, you complete the final study visit.

lung function tests (spirometry and dlco) are performed a second time after the six‑month assessment.

the 6‑minute walk test and both questionnaires are repeated to evaluate longer‑term changes.

weight, blood pressure, and any adverse events are recorded, and the overall outcome of the study treatment is documented.

if your disease shows progression during the study, your doctor may consider starting a second‑line therapy such as additional corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or antifibrotic medication.

this decision is made by your physician and is not part of the study medication schedule.