We have added or altered the following three points compared to the previous study: (1) we applied the new periostin ELISA kit specifically to detect the monomeric form of periostin in addition to the conventional periostin ELISA kit detecting both monomeric and oligomeric periostin (total periostin); (2) we performed this study in a consortium consisting of seven independent facilities; and (3) we compared the abilities of periostin with other conventional biomarkers for IPF—KL-6, SP-D, and LDH—in diagnosis of IPF and prediction of short-term progression of IPF. Here, POSTN is linked to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.