The pathophysiology of bronchiectasis

Chest computed tomography findings among adult Aboriginal Australians with bronchiectasis in the Top End Northern Territory of Australia

INTRODUCTION

There is limited evidence in the literature illustrating chest computed tomography (CT) characteristics among adult Aboriginal Australians with bronchiectasis. This retrospective study evaluates the radiological characteristics of bronchiectasis in Aboriginal Australians residing in the Top End, Northern Territory of Australia.

METHODS

Patients aged >18 years with chest CT-confirmed bronchiectasis between 2011 and 2020 were included. Demographics and relevant clinical parameters were collected. Alongside confirming bronchiectasis, chest CT reports were assessed for (i) lobar location (ii) unilateral or bilateral involvement and (iii) bronchiectasis type when available.

RESULTS

A total of 459 patients were identified with chest CT-confirmed bronchiectasis, with a median age of 47 years, and 55% were females. Bronchiectasis was predominantly recorded in the left lower lobe (LLL) (73%), followed by the right lower lobe (RLL) (62%) and the left upper lobe (LUL) was least common (22%). Females recorded the right middle lobe (RML) affected significantly more often than males (50 vs. 34%, P = 0.012). Bilateral involvement was common (74%), with the strongest pairwise correlation associated between the right upper lobe (RUL) and LUL (P < 0.001). Cylindrical (50%) and cystic (28%) types were most common. The RML and LLL showed positive correlation with cylindrical and LUL with cystic bronchiectasis. Neither lobar location nor bronchiectasis type showed any significant association with lung function parameters other than RML, Lingula and LUL involvement being associated with better percent predicted values of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. There were no significant associations between sputum culture and type or lobar locations of bronchiectasis except for non-Aspergillus fungus culture prevalence was higher with cystic or cylindrical types.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study may be an avenue to develop CT bronchiectasis severity scale in the future specific for Aboriginal Australians.

Factors influencing survival and mortality among adult Aboriginal Australians with bronchiectasis-A 10-year retrospective study

Background

The prevalence of bronchiectasis among adult Aboriginal Australians is higher than that of non-Aboriginal Australians. However, despite evidence to suggest higher prevalence of bronchiectasis among Aboriginal people in Australia, there is sparce evidence in the literature assessing clinical parameters that may predict survival or mortality in this population.

Methods

Aboriginal Australians residing in the Top End Health Service region of the Northern Territory of Australia aged >18 years with chest computed tomography (CT) confirmed bronchiectasis between 2011 and 2020 were included. Demographics, body mass index (BMI), medical co-morbidities, lung function data, sputum microbiology, chest CT scan results, hospital admissions restricted to respiratory conditions and all-cause mortality were assessed.

Results

A total of 459 patients were included, of whom 146 were recorded deceased (median age at death 59 years). Among the deceased cohort, patients were older (median age 52 vs. 45 years, p = 0.023), had a higher prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (91 vs. 79%, p = 0.126), lower lung function parameters (median percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s 29 vs. 40%, p = 0.149), a significantly greater proportion cultured non-Aspergillus fungi (65 vs. 46%, p = 0.007) and pseudomonas (46 vs. 28%, p = 0.007) on sputum microbiology and demonstrated bilateral involvement on radiology. In multivariate models advancing age, prior pseudomonas culture and Intensive care unit (ICU) visits were associated with increased odds of mortality. Higher BMI, better lung function on spirometry, prior positive sputum microbiology for Haemophilus and use of inhaled long-acting beta antagonist/muscarinic agents may have a favourable effect.

Conclusion

The results of this study may be of use to stratify high risk adult Aboriginal patients with bronchiectasis and to develop strategies to prevent future mortality.

Differential decline of lung function in COPD patients according to structural abnormality in chest CT

Background

Different progressions or prognoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been reported according to structural abnormalities based on chest computed tomography (CT). This study aimed to investigate whether different structural abnormalities independently affect annual lung function changes and clinical prognosis in patients with COPD.

Methods

This longitudinal multicenter observational study was conducted using the KOCOSS cohort (NCT02800499) database in Korea from January 2012 to December 2019. For COPD patients with chest CT findings at baseline enrolment and longitudinal spirometric data, annual forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) decline rate (mL/year) and clinical outcomes were compared according to structural abnormalities, including emphysema, bronchiectasis (BE), and tuberculosis-destroyed lung (TDL). We estimated the adjusted annual FEV1 changes using a mixed-effect linear regression model.

Results

Among the enrolled 237 patients, 152 showed structural abnormalities. Emphysema, BE, and TDL were observed in 119 (78.3%), 28 (18.4%), and 27 (17.8%) patients, respectively. The annual decline in FEV1 was faster in COPD patients with structural abnormalities than those without (β = -70.6 mL/year, P-value = 0.039). BE/TDL-dominant or emphysema-dominant structural abnormality contributed to an accelerated annual FEV1 decline compared to no structural abnormality (BE/TDL-dominant, β = -103.7 mL/year, P-value = 0.043; emphysema-dominant, β = -84.1 mL/year, P-value = 0.018). Structural abnormalities made no significant differences in acute exacerbation rate and mortality.

Conclusion

The lung function decline rate in COPD differed according to structural abnormalities on CT. These findings may suggest that more focus should be placed on earlier intervention or regular follow-up with spirometry in COPD patients with BE or TDL on chest CT.

Asymptomatic Dysphagia and Aspiration in Patients with Idiopathic Bronchiectasis

PURPOSE

Although considered contributors to idiopathic bronchiectasis (IB), neither dysphagia nor silent aspiration have been systematically evaluated in IB patients. We aimed to explore the prevalence of asymptomatic dysphagia and silent aspiration in IB patients and to identify parameters predictive of their presence.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included IB patients from our Pulmonary Institute without prior history of dysphagia and without prior dysphagia workup. Swallowing function was assessed by the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) questionnaire and by the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) test.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (31 females, mean age 67 ± 16 years) were recruited. An EAT-10 score ≥ 3 (risk for swallowing problems) was present in 21 patients (44.6%). Forty-two patients (89.3%) had at least one abnormal swallowing parameter in the FEES test. Six patients (12.7%) had a penetration aspiration score (PAS) in the FEES of at least 6, indicating aspiration. An EAT-10 score of 3 was found to be the ideal cutoff to predict aspiration in the FEES, with a good level of accuracy (area under the curve = 0.78, 95% CI 0.629-0.932, p = 0.03) and sensitivity of 83%. This cutoff also showed a trend towards a more severe disease using the FACED (forced expiratory volume, age, colonization with pseudomonas, extension of lung involvement, dyspnea) score (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dysphagia is prevalent in IB and may be undiagnosed if not specifically sought. We recommend screening all patients with IB for dysphagia by the EAT-10 questionnaire and referring all those with a score of ≥ 3 to formal swallowing assessment.

Hospital admission rates and related outcomes among adult Aboriginal australians with bronchiectasis - a ten-year retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study assessed hospitalisation frequency and related clinical outcomes among adult Aboriginal Australians with bronchiectasis over a ten-year study period.

METHOD

This retrospective study included patients aged ≥ 18 years diagnosed with bronchiectasis between 2011 and 2020 in the Top End, Northern Territory of Australia. Hospital admissions restricted to respiratory conditions (International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code J) and relevant clinical parameters were assessed and compared between those with and without hospital admissions.

RESULTS

Of the 459 patients diagnosed to have bronchiectasis, 398 (87%) recorded at least one respiratory related (ICD-J code) hospitalisation during the 10-year window. In comparison to patients with a recorded hospitalisation against those without-hospitalised patients were older (median 57 vs 53 years), predominantly females (54 vs 46%), had lower body mass index (23 vs 26 kg/m2) and had greater concurrent presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (88 vs 47%), including demonstrating lower spirometry values (forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (median FVC 49 vs 63% & FEV1 36 vs 55% respectively)). The total hospitalisations accounted for 3,123 admissions (median 4 per patient (IQR 2, 10)), at a median rate of 1 /year (IQR 0.5, 2.2) with a median length of 3 days (IQR 1, 6). Bronchiectasis along with COPD with lower respiratory tract infection (ICD code-J44) was the most common primary diagnosis code, accounting for 56% of presentations and 46% of days in hospital, which was also higher for patients using inhaled corticosteroids (81 vs 52%, p = 0.007). A total of 114 (29%) patients were recorded to have had an ICU admission, with a higher rate, including longer hospital stay among those patients with bronchiectasis and respiratory failure related presentations (32/35, 91%). In multivariate regression model, concurrent presence of COPD or asthma alongside bronchiectasis was associated with shorter times between subsequent hospitalisations (-423 days, p = 0.007 & -119 days, p = 0.02 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Hospitalisation rates among adult Aboriginal Australians with bronchiectasis are high. Future interventions are required to explore avenues to reduce the overall morbidity associated with bronchiectasis among Aboriginal Australians.

Bronchiectasis among Indigenous adults in the Top End of the Northern Territory, 2011-2020: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence of bronchiectasis among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) adults in the Top End of the Northern Territory, and mortality among Indigenous adults with bronchiectasis.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING, PARTICIPANTS

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (18 years or older) living in the Top End Health Service region of the NT in whom bronchiectasis was confirmed by chest computed tomography (CT) during 1 January 2011 - 31 December 2020.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence of bronchiectasis, and all-cause mortality among Indigenous adults with CT-confirmed bronchiectasis - overall, by sex, and by health district - based on 2011 population numbers (census data).

RESULTS

A total of 23 722 Indigenous adults lived in the Top End Health Service region in 2011; during 2011-2020, 459 people received chest CT-confirmed diagnoses of bronchiectasis. Their median age was 47.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 39.9-56.8 years), 254 were women (55.3%), and 425 lived in areas classified as remote (93.0%). The estimated prevalence of bronchiectasis was 19.4 per 1000 residents (20.6 per 1000 women; 18.0 per 1000 men). The age-adjusted prevalence of bronchiectasis was 5.0 (95% CI, 1.4-8.5) cases per 1000 people in the Darwin Urban health area, and 18-36 cases per 1000 people in the three non-urban health areas. By 30 April 2023, 195 people with bronchiectasis had died (42.5%), at a median age of 60.3 years (IQR, 50.3-68.9 years).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of bronchiectasis burden among Indigenous adults in the Top End of the NT is high, but differed by health district, as is all-cause mortality among adults with bronchiectasis. The socio-demographic and other factors that contribute to the high prevalence of bronchiectasis among Indigenous Australians should be investigated so that interventions for reducing its burden can be developed.

ERS International Congress 2023: highlights from the Airway Diseases Assembly

In this review, early career and senior members of Assembly 5 (Airway Diseases, Asthma, COPD and Chronic Cough) present key recent findings pertinent to airway diseases that were presented during the European Respiratory Society International Congress 2023 in Milan, Italy, with a particular focus on asthma, COPD, chronic cough and bronchiectasis. During the congress, an increased number of symposia, workshops and abstract presentations were organised. In total, 739 abstracts were submitted for Assembly 5 and the majority of these were presented by early career members. These data highlight the increased interest in this group of respiratory diseases.

Evaluation of high dose N- Acetylcysteine on airway inflammation and quality of life outcomes in adults with bronchiectasis: A randomised placebo-controlled pilot study

BACKGROUND

High dose N acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent has been shown to significantly reduce exacerbations, and improve quality of life in placebo controlled, double blind randomised (RCT) studies in patients with COPD, and in an open, randomised study in bronchiectasis. In this pilot, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we wished to investigate the feasibility of a larger clinical trial, and the anti-inflammatory and clinical benefits of high dose NAC in bronchiectasis.

AIMS

Primary outcome: to assess the efficacy of NAC 2400 mg/day at 6 weeks on sputum neutrophil elastase (NE), a surrogate marker for exacerbations. Secondary aims included assessing the efficacy of NAC on sputum MUC5B, IL-8, lung function, quality of life, and adverse effects.

METHODS

Participants were randomised to receive 2400 mg or placebo for 6 weeks. They underwent 3 visits: at baseline, week 3 and week 6 where clinical and sputum measurements were assessed.

RESULTS

The study was stopped early due to the COVID pandemic. In total 24/30 patients were recruited, of which 17 completed all aspects of the study. Given this, a per protocol analysis was undertaken: NAC (n = 9) vs placebo (n = 8): mean age 72 vs 62 years; male gender: 44% vs 50%; baseline median FEV11.56 L (mean 71.5 % predicted) vs 2.29L (mean 82.2% predicted). At 6 weeks, sputum NE fell by 47% in the NAC group relative to placebo (mean fold difference (95%CI: 0.53 (0.12,2.42); MUC5B increased by 48% with NAC compared with placebo. Lung function, FVC improved significantly with NAC compared with placebo at 6 weeks (mean fold difference (95%CI): 1.10 (1.00, 1.20), p = 0.045. Bronchiectasis Quality of life measures within the respiratory and social functioning domains demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements, with social functioning reaching statistical significance. Adverse effects were similar in both groups.

CONCLUSION

High dose NAC exhibits anti-inflammatory benefits, and improvements in aspects of quality of life and lung function measures. It is safe and well tolerated. Further larger placebo controlled RCT's are now warranted examining its role in reducing exacerbations.

Proximal and Distal Bronchioles Contribute to the Pathogenesis of Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Rationale: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) may originate in bronchiolar regions of the lung. Accordingly, there is a need to characterize the morphology and molecular characteristics of NCFB bronchioles. Objectives: Test the hypothesis that NCFB exhibits a major component of bronchiolar disease manifest by mucus plugging and ectasia. Methods: Morphologic criteria and region-specific epithelial gene expression, measured histologically and by RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, identified proximal and distal bronchioles in excised NCFB lungs. RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry assessed bronchiolar mucus accumulation and mucin gene expression. CRISPR-Cas9-mediated IL-1R1 knockout in human bronchial epithelial cultures tested IL-1α and IL-1β contributions to mucin production. Spatial transcriptional profiling characterized NCFB distal bronchiolar gene expression. Measurements and Main Results: Bronchiolar perimeters and lumen areas per section area were increased in proximal, but not distal, bronchioles in NCFB versus control lungs, suggesting proximal bronchiolectasis. In NCFB, mucus plugging was observed in ectatic proximal bronchioles and associated nonectatic distal bronchioles in sections with disease. MUC5AC and MUC5B mucins were upregulated in NCFB proximal bronchioles, whereas MUC5B was selectively upregulated in distal bronchioles. Bronchiolar mucus plugs were populated by IL-1β-expressing macrophages. NCFB sterile sputum supernatants induced human bronchial epithelial MUC5B and MUC5AC expression that was >80% blocked by IL-1R1 ablation. Spatial transcriptional profiling identified upregulation of genes associated with secretory cells, hypoxia, interleukin pathways, and IL-1β-producing macrophages in mucus plugs and downregulation of epithelial ciliogenesis genes. Conclusions: NCFB exhibits distinctive proximal and distal bronchiolar disease. Both bronchiolar regions exhibit bronchiolar secretory cell features and mucus plugging but differ in mucin gene regulation and ectasia.

Etiology of Bronchiectasis in the World: Data from the Published National and International Registries

Bronchiectasis is the third leading chronic inflammatory disease of the airway caused by dozens of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary diseases. Infection by pathogenic microorganisms is very common. We aimed to analyze, for the first time in the literature, the etiology of bronchiectasis throughout the world via data published in national and international registries. A bibliographic search was carried out in PubMed and Web of Science. Seven studies were included, with a total of 27,258 patients from 33 countries of four continents. The most frequent cause of bronchiectasis was post-infectious: 30.5% (range: 19.1-40.4%), followed by idiopathic: 28.7% (18.5-38.1%). Post-tuberculous bronchiectasis accounted for 14.1% (1.8-35.5%), while etiologies associated with COPD and asthma comprised 7% (3.4-10.9%) and 5.2% (2.5-7.8%). In conclusion, there was a high degree of heterogeneity in the relative percentages of the main causes of bronchiectasis in the world, although post-infectious and idiophatic bronchiectasis continue to be the most frequent causes.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Stress-Related Disorders in Patients with Bronchiectasis after Pulmonary Resection

This multicenter, cross-sectional study investigates the potential correlation between the development of bronchiectasis after lung resection surgery and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the patients. The study aims to provide new insights into the long-term outcomes of patients post-lung resection surgery. The study includes adult patients who underwent lung resection surgery for suspicious lung nodules and developed bronchiectasis within a follow-up period of six months. Bronchiectasis was confirmed by high-resolution computed tomography scans. The patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders were assessed using WHOQOL-BREF, SF-36, HADS, and PSS-10 questionnaires. Out of the 135 patients included in the study, 44 developed bronchiectasis after lung resection surgery. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of demographics and medical history. Patients with bronchiectasis demonstrated a lower overall health status, increased deterioration of respiratory symptoms, lower physical activity levels, lower quality of life scores, and experienced more severe anxiety symptoms. Additionally, patients in this group also perceived higher levels of stress; although, the correlation with physical functioning was contradictory. The development of bronchiectasis post-lung resection surgery was associated with poorer quality of life, increased respiratory symptoms, higher anxiety levels, and increased perception of stress. While the correlation between bronchiectasis and HRQoL was statistically significant, the contradictory correlations with stress and physical functioning call for further research. This study underscores the importance of ongoing patient monitoring and the detailed evaluation of respiratory function following lung resection surgery for lung nodules, especially among those who develop bronchiectasis.

Effectiveness of the use of an oscillating positive expiratory pressure device in bronchiectasis with frequent exacerbations: a single-arm pilot study

Impaired airway clearance in patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis causes frequent bacterial infection, chronic inflammation, and progressive tissue destruction. We aimed to evaluate whether an oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device could allow effective sputum expectoration and prevent acute exacerbations in patients with bronchiectasis who had frequent acute exacerbations. This open-label, single-arm, prospective study included 17 patients who experienced three or more acute exacerbations in the past year. We evaluated the prevention of acute exacerbations, subjective symptom improvement, and change in sputum amount during the use of the Aerobika (Trudell Medical International, London, ON) OPEP device twice daily for 6  months. Of all enrolled patients, only two acute exacerbations occurred during the study period, indicating a significant decrease compared with the number of acute exacerbations before the device use (p < 0.001). Additionally, Bronchiectasis Health Questionnaire score changed from 58.7 to 66.6, showing significant improvement over the treatment period (p < 0.001). The largest sputum volume was observed 3  months after OPEP device use (baseline: 10 ml, 3rd month 25 ml, p = 0.325). There were no major adverse events related to the use of OPEP devices. Twice-daily physiotherapy with OPEP device in patients with bronchiectasis who have frequent exacerbations may facilitate symptomatic improvement and prevention of acute exacerbations without serious adverse events.

A Phase 2 randomised study to establish efficacy, safety and dosing of a novel oral cathepsin C inhibitor, BI 1291583, in adults with bronchiectasis: Airleaf

New therapies are needed to prevent exacerbations, improve quality of life and slow disease progression in bronchiectasis. Inhibition of cathepsin C (CatC) activity has the potential to decrease activation of neutrophil-derived serine proteases in patients with bronchiectasis, thereby reducing airway inflammation, improving symptoms, reducing exacerbations and preventing further airway damage. Here we present the design of a phase 2 trial (Airleaf™; NCT05238675) assessing the efficacy and safety of a novel CatC inhibitor, BI 1291583, in adult patients with bronchiectasis. This multinational, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-finding study has a screening period of at least 6 weeks, a treatment period of 24-48 weeks and a follow-up period of 4 weeks. ∼240 adults with bronchiectasis of multiple aetiologies will be randomised to placebo once daily, or BI 1291583 1 mg once daily, 2.5 mg once daily or 5 mg once daily in a 2:1:1:2 ratio, stratified by Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and maintenance use of macrolides. The primary efficacy objective is to evaluate the dose-response relationship for the three oral doses of BI 1291583 versus placebo on time to first pulmonary exacerbation up to Week 48 (the primary end-point). Efficacy will be assessed using exacerbations, patient-reported outcomes, measures of symptoms, sputum neutrophil elastase activity and pulmonary function testing. Safety assessment will include adverse event reporting, physical examination, monitoring of vital signs, safety laboratory parameters, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and periodontal and dermatological assessments. If efficacy and safety are demonstrated, results will support further investigation of BI 1291583 in phase 3 trials.

Left middle lobectomy in a patient with Kartagener's syndrome

The middle lobe is usually a part of the right lung as it is tri-lobar in normal anatomy. In patients with Kartagener's syndrome, the middle lobe belongs to the left lung due to situs inversus. They are prone to develop bronchiectasis due to ciliary dyskinesia and bronchial anatomy of the middle lobe. We hereby report an interesting case of left middle lobectomy done in a patient with Kartagener's syndrome with bronchiectasis.

Long-Term High Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy in Primary and Secondary Bronchiectasis

BACKGROUND

Bronchiectasis is the consequence of chronic bronchial inflammation, inappropriate mucus clearance, bacterial colonization, and recurrent or chronic infection. High flow therapy (HFT) is a type of non-invasive respiratory therapy, usually delivered through a nasal cannula interface (HFNC). It delivers heated and humidified air with a stable fraction of inspired oxygen and a wide range of possible flow rates.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Determine the effectiveness of HFNC as add-on therapy in adult primary and secondary bronchiectasis with frequent acute exacerbations (AEs) and/or hospitalizations.

METHODS

This is a single-center crossover study on long-term home therapy with HFNC in adult bronchiectasis. Pharmacological therapy included pulse therapy with mucolytics and bronchodilators. After one year, all patients were switched to additional HFNC. The temperature range was 31-37 °C. The flow range was 35-60 L/m. FiO₂ was 0.21.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients completed the follow-up; 54% were females; the median age was 70 years (IQR 60-76). The etiology of bronchiectasis was mainly post-infective (51%), COPD related (26%), and congenital (11%). AEs at baseline were 2.81 (±2.15). A significant reduction in AEs was observed after 24 months with a mean of 0.45 (±0.66) (f-ratio value 79.703. p-value < 0.00001). No significant difference was observed after HFNC therapy on FEV₁ (2.39 ± 0.87 vs. 2.55 ± 0.82; f-ratio 0.79. p-value 0.45) and FVC (2.73 ± 0.88 vs. 2.84 ± 0.90; f-ratio 0.411. p-value 0.66). A significant reduction in mMRC score was observed after HFNC therapy (2.40 ± 0.81 vs. 0.97 ± 0.97 at 2 months vs. 0.60 ± 0.78 at 24 months; f-ratio value 95.512. p-value < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

HFNC is a well-tolerated add-on therapy for adult bronchiectasis. Dyspnea improved after 2 months and further after 2 years. The exacerbation rate decreased during the 2 years follow-up. No significant difference was observed in lung function.

Down-expression of Foxj1 on airway epithelium with impaired cilia architecture in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis implies disease severity

INTRODUCTION

The pathogenesis of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis has not been clearly clarified. This study aimed to investigate the expression of ciliary regulating protein forkhead box protein j1 (Foxj1) on airway epithelium in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and its association with airway cilia structure disorder and disease severity.

METHODS

Lung tissue sections excised from 47 patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis were included between January 2018 and June 2021. Specimens from 26 subjects who underwent a lobectomy due to lung nodule were chosen as controls. Clinical information was collected, and pathologic analysis was performed to assess the epithelial structure and expression of ciliary regulating Foxj1.

RESULTS

Of the 47 patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, 25 were considered as mild, 12 were moderate whereas the remaining 10 cases were severe according to the bronchiectasis severity index score evaluation. Epithelial hyperplasia, hyperplasia of goblet cells and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, compared with control subjects. Cilia length in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients were shorter than that in the control group, (5.34 ± 0.89) μm versus (7.34 ± 0.71) μm, respectively (P = 0.002). The expression of Foxj1 was (2.69 ± 1.09) × 10⁶ in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, compared with (6.67 ± 1.15) × 10⁶ in the control group (P = 0.001). Moreover, patients with lower expression of Foxj1 showed shorter airway cilia and worse in disease severity.

CONCLUSION

Foxj1 declined in the airway epithelium of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, positively correlated to cilia length and might imply worse disease severity.

The roles of neutrophils in non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease

Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD) is an increasingly recognised global health issue. Studies have suggested that neutrophils may play an important role in controlling NTM infection and contribute to protective immune responses within the early phase of infection. However, these cells are also adversely associated with disease progression and exacerbation and can contribute to pathology, for example in the development of bronchiectasis. In this review, we discuss the key findings and latest evidence regarding the diverse functions of neutrophils in NTM infection. First, we focus on studies that implicate neutrophils in the early response to NTM infection and the evidence reporting neutrophils' capability to kill NTM. Next, we present an overview of the positive and negative effects that characterise the bidirectional relationship between neutrophils and adaptive immunity. We consider the pathological role of neutrophils in driving the clinical phenotype of NTM-PD including bronchiectasis. Finally, we highlight the current promising treatments in development targeting neutrophils in airways diseases. Clearly, more insights on the roles of neutrophils in NTM-PD are needed in order to inform both preventative strategies and host-directed therapy for these important infections.

Adiponectin Increase in Patients Affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Overlap of Bronchiectasis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by respiratory symptoms and non-reversible airflow limitation with recurrent episodes of acute exacerbations. The concurrent presence of bronchiectasis in patients with COPD is associated with reduced respiratory function as well as increased exacerbation risk. Adiponectin is a promising biomarker in COPD, as greater high molecular weight (HMW) oligomer levels have been observed among COPD patients. Here, we investigate adiponectin levels in two groups of COPD patients characterized by the presence or absence of bronchiectasis (BCO), comparing both groups to healthy controls. We evaluated serum adiponectin levels in COPD patients, those with BCO, and healthy subjects and characterized the pattern of circulating adiponectin oligomers. We found that forced volume capacity % (FVC%) and forced expiratory volume % (FEV1%) were lower for BCO patients than for COPD patients. COPD patients had higher levels of adiponectin and its HMW oligomers than healthy controls. Interestingly, BCO patients had higher levels of adiponectin than COPD patients. We showed that expression levels of IL-2, -4, and -8, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF were significantly higher in BCO patients than in healthy controls. Conversely, IL-10 expression levels were lower in BCO patients. Our data suggest that the increased levels of adiponectin detected in the cohort of BCO patients compared to those in COPD patients without bronchiectasis might be determined by their worse airway inflammatory state. This hypothesis suggests that adiponectin could be considered as a biomarker to recognize advanced COPD patients with bronchiectasis.

Inhaled Corticosteroids in Adults with Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: From Bench to Bedside. A Narrative Review

Due to their potent anti-inflammatory capacity (particularly in predominantly eosinophilic inflammation) and immunosuppressive properties, inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are widely used in asthmatic patients and also in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who suffer multiple exacerbations or have peripheral eosinophilia. However, there is little evidence for their use in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (hereafter, bronchiectasis). According to data extracted from large databases of bronchiectasis in adults, ICSs are used in more than 50% of patients without any scientific evidence to justify their efficacy and contrary to the recommendations of international guidelines on bronchiectasis that generally advise against their use. Indeed, bronchiectasis is a disease with predominantly neutrophilic inflammation and a high likelihood of chronic bacterial bronchial infection. Furthermore, it is known that due to their immunosuppressive properties, ICSs can induce an increase in bacterial infections. This manuscript aims to review the basic properties of ICSs, how they impact bronchiectasis in adults, the current position of international guidelines on this treatment, and the current indications and future challenges related to ICS use in bronchiectasis.

Physiology and pathophysiology of human airway mucus

The mucus clearance system is the dominant mechanical host defense system of the human lung. Mucus is cleared from the lung by cilia and airflow, including both two-phase gas-liquid pumping and cough-dependent mechanisms, and mucus transport rates are heavily dependent on mucus concentration. Importantly, mucus transport rates are accurately predicted by the gel-on-brush model of the mucociliary apparatus from the relative osmotic moduli of the mucus and periciliary-glycocalyceal (PCL-G) layers. The fluid available to hydrate mucus is generated by transepithelial fluid transport. Feedback interactions between mucus concentrations and cilia beating, via purinergic signaling, coordinate Na+ absorptive vs Cl- secretory rates to maintain mucus hydration in health. In disease, mucus becomes hyperconcentrated (dehydrated). Multiple mechanisms derange the ion transport pathways that normally hydrate mucus in muco-obstructive lung diseases, e.g., cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), non-CF bronchiectasis (NCFB), and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). A key step in muco-obstructive disease pathogenesis is the osmotic compression of the mucus layer onto the airway surface with the formation of adherent mucus plaques and plugs, particularly in distal airways. Mucus plaques create locally hypoxic conditions and produce airflow obstruction, inflammation, infection, and, ultimately, airway wall damage. Therapies to clear adherent mucus with hydrating and mucolytic agents are rational, and strategies to develop these agents are reviewed.

Kronik Obstrüktif Akciğer Hastalığı Olan Hastalarda Komorbid Bronşektazinin Yaşam Kalitesine Etkisinin Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of comorbid bronchiectasis on quality-of-life in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Method: 103 patients were diagnosed with COPD were included in our study. Spirometric measurements were made. The following measurement tools were used to collect data: 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, COPD Assessment Test (CAT), St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and Short Form 36 (SF-36) quality-of-life questionnaire. Furthermore, all the patients’ high Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) images for the last three years were included in the study. Result: 93.2% of the patients were male, with a mean age of 64.79±9.35 years. It was found that SGRQ and SF-36 quality-of-life scores decreased by half in all the patients compared to normal ones. The volume/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) values in the first second of forced expiration were significantly lower in the group with bronchiectasis. A significant correlation was found to exist between the patients’ mMRC dyspnea scale and CAT scores, 6MWT distances, and all subscales of SGRQ and SF-36. In addition, a significant correlation was also found to exist between FEV1 values and all subscales of SGRQ, and between subscales of SF-36. Conclusion: In our study, when we compared the quality-of-life scores of the patients with COPD and bronchiectasis with those with COPD alone, we found that the quality-of-life of both groups was impaired, but there was no significant difference between them.

Characteristics of Bronchiectasis Associated with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction:

An association between chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis has been observed. However, the incidence of this association is variable. The current use of high-resolution Chest Thoracic (CT) scans in patients with COPD has contributed to its demonstration. It is comorbidity or even an overlap syndrome. The aim of this study is to determine the characteristics of bronchiectasis in patients with COPD at the Annaba University Hospital in Algeria.

Subjects and Methods:

We prospectively included patients hospitalized at the Annaba University Hospital in Algeria between 1st January, 2013 to 31st December, 2015. All patients were hospitalized for an exacerbation of COPD. One hundred and twelve patients (108 men and 04 women) were enrolled in this study. These patients were classified into two groups: G1 (COPD without bronchiectasis) and G2 (COPD with bronchiectasis). The parameters considered for both the groups were the length of hospitalization, comorbidities as per the Charlson index, number of exacerbations in the previous year, quality of life assessed by the Saint Georges questionnaire, a spirométrie, and C. reactive protein (CRP). The diagnosis of exacerbation, bronchiectasis, and COPD was made. The data collected were statistically analyzed using SPSS/version 16. Parametric data were expressed as mean ± SD, and non-parametric data were expressed as the number and percentage of the total. In all tests, a p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for statistically significant variables.

Results and Discussion:

One hundred and twelve patients (108 men and 04 women) were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of the patients were: age (69.49 years ± 8.15), smoking (53.21 ± 48 p/y), and FEV1(42.55 ± 18.90 l/s). Of the 112 cases included, 21 had COPD associated with bronchiectasis (18.75%). This bronchiectasis was of cylindrical type in the majority of patients, i.e., 17 (80.95%), saccular in 03 cases (14.28%), and mixed in only one case (04.77%). Lesions were bilateral in 16 patients (76.19%) and unilateral in 05 patients (23.81%). FEV1 in the COPD group associated with bronchiectasis was more severe (48.7 ± 6 l/s vs. 40.2 ± 3 l/s) (OR=4.3187; 95% C.I =2.6301 - 6.8740; p <0.017). Furthermore, we noted that the length of hospitalization, the exacerbations during the past year, the CRP rate, the total score of the Saint Georges questionnaire, and the sputum purulence were statistically significant variables with an Odds Ratio significant in the COPD bronchiectasis association

Conclusion:

The diagnosis of bronchiectasis should be more efficient in patients with COPD with a severe respiratory deficit, purulent sputum, accelerated CRP, and deterioration in the quality of life.

Association between Smoking Status and Incident Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis in Young Adults: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Smoking traditionally has not been considered as a cause of bronchiectasis. However, few studies have evaluated the association between smoking and bronchiectasis. This study aimed to investigate the association between smoking status and bronchiectasis development in young adults. This study included 6,861,282 adults aged 20−39 years from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database 2009−2012 who were followed-up until the date of development of bronchiectasis, death, or 31 December 2018. We evaluated the incidence of bronchiectasis according to smoking status. During a mean of 7.4 years of follow-up, 23,609 (0.3%) participants developed bronchiectasis. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, ex-smokers (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03−1.13) and current-smokers (aHR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02−1.10) were associated with incident bronchiectasis, with the highest HR in ≥ 10 pack-years current smokers (aHR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.06−1.16). The association of smoking with bronchiectasis was more profound in females than in males (p for interaction < 0.001), in younger than in older participants (p for interaction = 0.036), and in the overweight and obese than in the normal weight or underweight (p for interaction = 0.023). In conclusion, our study shows that smoking is associated with incident bronchiectasis in young adults. The association of smoking with bronchiectasis development was stronger in females, 20−29 year-olds, and the overweight and obese than in males, 30−40-year-olds, and the normal weight or underweight, respectively.

A clinicians’ review of the respiratory microbiome

The respiratory microbiome and its impact in health and disease is now well characterised. With the development of next-generation sequencing and the use of other techniques such as metabolomics, the functional impact of microorganisms in different host environments can be elucidated. It is now clear that the respiratory microbiome plays an important role in respiratory disease. In some diseases, such as bronchiectasis, examination of the microbiome can even be used to identify patients at higher risk of poor outcomes. Furthermore, the microbiome can aid in phenotyping. Finally, development of multi-omic analysis has revealed interactions between the host and microbiome in some conditions. This review, although not exhaustive, aims to outline how the microbiome is investigated, the healthy respiratory microbiome and its role in respiratory disease.

The respiratory microbiome encompasses bacterial, fungal and viral communities. In health, it is a dynamic structure and dysbiotic in disease. Dysbiosis can be related to disease severity and may be utilised to predict patients at clinical risk.https://bit.ly/3pNSgnA

The Role of Impulse Oscillometry in Evaluating Disease Severity and Predicting the Airway Reversibility in Patients With Bronchiectasis

Background

Impulse oscillometry (IOS) can be used to evaluate airway impedance in patients with obstructive airway diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated that IOS parameters differ between patients with bronchiectasis and healthy controls. This study aims to explore the usefulness of IOS in assessing disease severity and airway reversibility in patients with bronchiectasis.

Method

Seventy-four patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis who visited our Respiratory Medicine outpatient clinic were consecutively recruited. Spirometry, plethysmography and IOS tests were performed. Patients were stratified into mild, moderate and severe disease according to Reiff, Bhalla, BSI, FACED, and BRICS scores. Airway reversibility was measured by bronchodilation test (BDT) and the result was classified as positive or negative. ROC curves of IOS parameters were used to assess the usefulness of IOS parameters in predicting airway reversibility. Correlations between the IOS, spirometric lung function and bronchiectasis severity parameters were analyzed.

Results

Many IOS parameters, such as airway resistance at 5 Hz (R5), small airways resistance (R5-R20), total airway reactance (X5), resonance frequency (Fres), total airway impedance at 5 Hz (Z5), and peripheral resistance (Rp) increased in patients with bronchiectasis who presented a moderate to severe severity as categorized by the FACED, BSI and Reiff scores. Large airway resistance (R20) and central resistance (Rc) were not significantly different among groups with different bronchiectasis severity. The difference between R5 and R20 (R5-R20) showed 81.0% sensitivity, and 69.8%specificity in predicting the airway reversibility in bronchiectasis with AUC of 0.794 (95%CI, 0.672-0.915).

Conclusion

IOS measurements are useful indicators of bronchiectasis severity and may be useful for predicting the airway reversibility.

Respiratory and Peripheral Muscle Weakness and Body Composition Abnormalities in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patients: Gender Differences

As demonstrated in COPD, bronchiectasis patients may experience respiratory and peripheral muscle dysfunction. We hypothesized that respiratory and peripheral (upper and lower limbs) muscle function and nutritional status may be more significantly altered in female than in males for identical age and disease severity. In mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis patients (n = 150, 114 females) and 37 controls (n = 37, 21 females), radiological extension, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP), sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP), hand grip and quadriceps muscle strengths, body composition, and blood analytical biomarkers were explored. Compared to the controls, in all bronchiectasis patients (males and females), BMI, fat-free mass index (FFMI), fat tissue, upper and lower limb muscle strength, and respiratory muscle strength significantly declined, and FFMI, fat tissue, and quadriceps muscle function were significantly lower in female than male patients. In patients with mild-to-moderate bronchiectasis, respiratory and peripheral muscle function is significantly impaired and only partly related to lung disease status. Quadriceps muscle strength was particularly weakened in the female patients and was negatively associated with their exercise tolerance. Muscle weakness should be therapeutically targeted in bronchiectasis patients. Body composition and peripheral muscle function determination should be part of the comprehensive clinical assessment of these patients.

Prevalence and early outcome of bronchiectasis as an atypical presentation in COVID-19 patients

Introduction

Bronchiectasis was considered as an uncommon radiological feature of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. The clinical course and outcome of COVID-19 bronchiectasis overlap is still a point for research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence, course, and outcome of bronchiectasis as an atypical presentation of COVID-19 infection.

Methods

A cross-sectional study has been conducted from July 2021 to February 2022 and included 425 COVID-19 swab-positive patients who were examined by high resolution computed tomography of the chest during acute phase (4 weeks) of the infection.

Results

Fourteen (3.3%) patients newly developed bronchiectasis-de novo. Patients with de novo bronchiectasis had significantly higher cough score, frequency of colored sputum and mMRC score, respiratory distress (p < 0.001) and respiratory failure (p = 0.02) than patients with no bronchiectasis. They also had the higher frequency of ICU’s admission (p = 0.02), need to non-invasive (p = 0.01), and invasive mechanical ventilation (p = < 0.001), duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU’s stay and overall hospital stay (p < 0.001). As for the outcome, death rate was also statistically significantly higher among those with De novo bronchiectasis than those without bronchiectasis (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Bronchiectasis is an uncommon presentation among COVID-19 patients. However, bronchiectasis increases disease burden in COVID-19 patients. It may have a negative impact on the outcome.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT04910113. Registered June 2, 2021.

Nationwide survey of refractory asthma with bronchiectasis by inflammatory subtypes

RATIONALE

Bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis are differential diagnoses of asthma; moreover, they are factors associated with worse asthma control.

OBJECTIVE

We determined clinical courses of bronchiectasis/bronchiolitis-complicated asthma by inflammatory subtypes as well as factors affecting them.

METHODS

We conducted a survey of refractory asthma with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis/bronchiolitis in Japan. Cases were classified into three groups, based on the latest fractional exhaled NO (FeNO) level (32 ppb for the threshold) and blood eosinophil counts (320/µL for the threshold): high (type 2-high) or low (type 2-low) FeNO and eosinophil and high FeNO or eosinophil (type 2-intermediate). Clinical courses in groups and factors affecting them were analysed.

RESULTS

In total, 216 cases from 81 facilities were reported, and 142 were stratified: 34, 40 and 68 into the type 2-high, -intermediate and -low groups, respectively. The frequency of bronchopneumonia and exacerbations requiring antibiotics and gram-negative bacteria detection rates were highest in the type 2-low group. Eighty-seven cases had paired latest and oldest available data of FeNO and eosinophil counts; they were analysed for inflammatory transition patterns. Among former type 2-high and -intermediate groups, 32% had recently transitioned to the -low group, to which relatively low FeNO in the past and oral corticosteroid use contributed. Lastly, in cases treated with moderate to high doses of inhaled corticosteroids, the frequencies of exacerbations requiring antibiotics were found to be higher in cases with more severe airway lesions and lower FeNO.

CONCLUSIONS

Bronchiectasis/bronchiolitis-complicated refractory asthma is heterogeneous. In patients with sputum symptoms and low FeNO, airway colonisation of pathogenic bacteria and infectious episodes are common; thus, corticosteroids should be carefully used.

Rationale and Clinical Use of Bronchodilators in Adults with Bronchiectasis

Currently, there is much controversy surrounding the therapeutic approach to pulmonary function abnormalities in patients with bronchiectasis and, consequently, whether and when to use bronchodilators in these patients. National and international guidelines on the treatment of bronchiectasis in adults do not recommend the routine use of bronchodilators because there is no evidence that a significant response to a bronchodilator or the presence or hyperresponsiveness of the airway are good predictors of future effective clinical response. However, some guidelines recommend them in the presence of airway obstruction and/or special conditions, which vary according to the guideline in question, although there are no recommendations on optimal dosing and bronchodilator treatment combined with or without inhaled corticosteroids. Nonetheless, in contrast with guideline recommendations, bronchodilators are overused in real-world patients with bronchiectasis even in the absence of airway obstruction, as demonstrated by analysis of national and international registries. This overuse can be explained by the awareness of the existence of a solid pharmacological rationale that supports the use of bronchodilators in the presence of chronic airway obstruction independent of its aetiology. We performed a systematic review of the literature and were able to verify that there are no randomised controlled trials (apart from a small study with methodological limitations and a very recent trial involving a not-very-large number of patients), or any long-term observational studies on the short- or long-term effect of bronchodilators in patients with bronchiectasis. Therefore, we believe that it is essential and even urgent to evaluate the effects of bronchodilators in these patients with appropriately designed studies.

Surgical treatment of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis in Central Europe

Background

Bronchiectasis is a mostly irreversible bronchial dilatation induced by the destruction of elastic and muscular fibers of the bronchial wall. Surgical treatment is usually reserved for focal disease, and whenever complications, like hemoptysis or secondary aspergilloma, arise. In this study, we report our experience and outcomes in surgical bronchiectasis management between 2016 and 2020.

Methods

We retrospectively searched our database for patients admitted for surgical treatment of bronchiectasis between 2016 and 2020. All records were screened for pre-surgical management. Age, gender, distribution of bronchiectatic lesions, type of surgery, perioperative complications, chest tube duration, length of hospital stay as well as 30-day-mortality were recorded, and a brief follow-up was made.

Results

A total of n=34 patients underwent pulmonary resection with bronchiectasis. Mean age on admission was 56.2±15.1 years and n=21 patients (62%) were female. In n=23 cases the right lung was affected, in n=9 cases the left side and in two cases both lungs. Indications for surgery included persistent major alterations after conservative therapy (n=9), massive hemoptysis (n=4), and full-blown “destroyed lobe” (n=7). All patients received anatomical lung resection (n=21 lobectomies, n=2 bilobectomies and n=11 segmentectomies), either by uniportal video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (n=28) or by lateral thoracotomy (n=6). Average length of hospital stay was 7.9±6.3 days; one patient died on POD 7 due to myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

In spite of a decreasing number of patients with bronchiectasis referred to surgery due to improvements in preventing and managing the disease, pulmonary resection still plays a significant role in treating this pathology in Central Europe. Surgery remains a viable approach for localized forms of bronchiectasis, and the only option in treating acute deterioration and complications like massive hemoptysis.

Telemedicine and Remote Monitoring as an Adjunct to Medical Management of Bronchiectasis

The limited resources and the practice of social distancing during the COVID pandemic create a paradigm shift in the utilization of telemedicine in healthcare. However, the implementation of best practices is hampered in part by a lack of literature devoted to telehealth in bronchiectasis. In this commentary, we examine multiple approaches to structuring of telemedicine care for patients with bronchiectasis, highlight current evidence-based interventions that can be incorporated into the management of bronchiectasis, and describe our experience with telemedicine at the University of Connecticut Center for Bronchiectasis Care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The structural model must be adapted to different local dynamics and available technologies with careful attention to patient characteristics and access to technology to avoid the potential paradoxical effects of increasing patients’ burden and healthcare disparities in underserved populations.

Pain among Individuals with Chronic Respiratory Diseases Attending Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Purpose: This study reports on the prevalence and impact of pain in individuals with different chronic respiratory diseases attending pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). Method: A retrospective review of medical records data was conducted for 488 participants who had attended a PR programme over a 2-year period. Data on pain and medication history taken from multidisciplinary medical records, together with participant demographics and PR outcomes, were extracted. We compared pain among participants with different types of chronic respiratory disease. Results: The overall prevalence of pain was 77%, with a significantly higher prevalence among individuals with obstructive lung diseases (80%) compared with restrictive lung diseases (69%; p = 0.04). Some participants (17%) who took pain medications did not discuss pain with their clinicians. The presence of pain and different reporting of pain did not have a negative impact on the PR programme completion rate (p = 0.74), improvements in exercise capacity (p = 0.51), or health-related quality of life (all four chronic respiratory disease questionnaire domains, p>0.05). Conclusions: The prevalence of pain is high among individuals with chronic respiratory disease attending PR. The presence or absence of pain was not negatively associated with the programme completion rate or PR outcomes; therefore, pain should not deter clinicians from referring patients to PR.

Functional impairment in bronchiectasis: Spirometry parameters versus St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores: Any co-relation?

OBJECTIVES

Bronchiectasis is a common respiratory disease which has significant morbidity and mortality. Health-related quality of life scores are not routinely used for the assessment of bronchiectasis. The present study was undertaken with an aim to assess the clinical profile and functional impairment using spirometry in patients with bronchiectasis and to co-relate functional impairment with their St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score.

METHODOLOGY

This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 102 patients of bronchiectasis. All patients were assessed for clinical profile, spirometry, and SGRQ scores. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC were measured and compared with SGRQ scores. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0 and MS-Excel.

RESULTS

Obstruction was found in 62.7% and significant bronchodilator reversibility was observed in 30.4%. All spirometry parameters individually and combined showed a negative co-relation which was stastically significant (P < 0.001). Best co-relation was with FEV1 r = -0.809; symptom score, r = -0.821; activity score, r= -0.849; impact score and r = -0.873 total score. FVC% versus symptoms score r = -0.735; activity score r = -0.729, impacts score r = -0.778; total score r = -0.792. FEV1/FVC versus symptoms score r = -0.227, activity score r = -0.278, impacts score r = -0.263, total score r = -0.274.

CONCLUSION

SGRQ scores have shown good correlation with functional impairment. It can be used as a modality to evaluate health status of patient in resource constraint settings.

The importance of central airway dilatation in patients with bronchiolitis obliterans

Background

Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a clinical syndrome characterised by progressive small airway obstruction, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Central airway dilatation is one of its radiological characteristics, but little is known about the clinical and pathological associations between airway dilatation and BO.

Methods

This retrospective study consecutively included patients who underwent lung transplantation due to BO at Kyoto University Hospital from 2009 to 2019. Demographic and histopathological findings of the resected lungs were compared between patients with and without airway dilatation measured by chest computed tomography (CT) at registration for lung transplantation.

Results

Of a total of 38 included patients (median age, 30 years), 34 (89%) had a history of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, and 22 (58%) had airway dilatation based on CT. Patients with airway dilatation had a higher frequency of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation with greater residual volume than those without airway dilatation. Quantitative CT analysis revealed an increase in lung volume to predictive total lung capacity and a percentage of low attenuation volume <−950 HU at inspiration in association with the extent of airway dilatation. Airway dilatation on CT was associated with an increased number of bronchioles with concentric narrowing of the lumen and thickening of the subepithelium of the walls on histology.

Conclusions

In patients with BO, airway dilatation may reflect increased residual volume or air trapping and pathological extent of obstructive bronchioles, accompanied by a risk of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolation. More attention should be paid to the development of airway dilatation in the management of BO.

In patients with bronchiolitis obliterans (BO), airway dilatation may reflect air trapping and the pathological extent of obstructive bronchioles. More attention should be paid to airway dilatation in the management of BO.https://bit.ly/3w7cRV6

Do Redox Balance and Inflammatory Events Take Place in Mild Bronchiectasis? A Hint to Clinical Implications

We hypothesized that in mild bronchiectasis patients, increased systemic inflammation and redox imbalance may take place and correlate with clinical parameters. In plasma samples from patients with very mild bronchiectasis, inflammatory cells and molecules and redox balance parameters were analyzed. In the patients, lung function and exercise capacity, nutritional status, bacterial colonization, and radiological extension were assessed. Correlations between biological and clinical variables were determined. Compared to healthy controls, levels of acute phase reactants, neutrophils, IgG, IgA, myeloperoxidase, protein oxidation, and GSH increased and lung function and exercise capacity were mildly reduced. GSH levels were even greater in ex-smoker and Pseudomona-colonized patients. Furthermore, radiological extension inversely correlated with airway obstruction and, disease severity, and positively correlated with neutrophil numbers in mild bronchiectasis patients with no nutritional abnormalities. In stable patients with mild bronchiectasis, several important inflammatory and oxidative stress events take place in plasma. These findings suggest that the extension of bronchiectasis probably plays a role in the development of redox imbalance and systemic inflammation in patients with mild bronchiectasis. These results have therapeutic implications in the management of bronchiectasis patients.

Impact of bronchial wall thickness on airflow obstruction in bronchiectasis

The association between airflow obstruction and bronchial dilation has been researched in bronchiectasis. However, the impact of bronchial wall thickening on airflow obstruction has not been thoroughly investigated. This study assessed the underlying mechanism of airflow obstruction in bronchiectasis due to abnormal bronchial wall thickening using oscillometry. A total of 98 patients with bronchiectasis were retrospectively reviewed. At the time of diagnosis, spirometric and oscillometric parameters, high-resolution computed tomography scores, and clinical characteristics were collected. The bronchial diameter, bronchial wall thickness, and extent of emphysema were evaluated semi-quantitatively. Correlations between patient data and characteristics were analyzed. Thirty-three patients with airflow obstruction showed higher respiratory resistance, more negative respiratory reactance (Xrs) at 5 Hz (X5), and higher bronchial wall thickness score than those without airflow obstruction. The bronchial wall thickness score negatively affected forced expiration volume in 1 s /forced vital capacity and X5. Abnormal bronchial wall thickening might make Xrs more negative and progress airflow obstruction in bronchiectasis.

The spectrum of clinical sequelae associated with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (AATD) is an autosomal co-dominant condition that predisposes to the development of lung disease, primarily emphysema. Emphysema results from the breakdown of lung matrix elastin by proteases, including neutrophil elastase, a protease normally inhibited by AAT. AATD also predisposes to liver (cirrhosis) and skin (panniculitis) disease, and to vasculitis. The prevalence of AATD is estimated to be approximately 1 in 3,500 individuals in the United States. However, lack of awareness of AATD among some physicians, misperceptions regarding the absence of effective therapy, and the close overlap in symptoms with asthma and non-AATD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are thought to contribute to under-recognition of the disease. In patients with AATD, treatment with intravenous AAT augmentation therapy is the only currently available treatment known to slow the progression of emphysema. Moreover, smoking cessation and other lifestyle interventions also help improve outcomes. Early diagnosis and intervention are of key importance due to the irreversible nature of the resultant emphysema. Liver disease is the second leading cause of death among patients with AATD and a minority of patients present with panniculitis or antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, thought to be directly related to AATD. Though no randomized trial has assessed the effectiveness of augmentation therapy for AATD-associated panniculitis, clinical experience and case series suggest there is a benefit. Other diseases putatively linked to AATD include aneurysmal disease and multiple neurological conditions, although these associations remain speculative in nature.

A direct adverse effect of smoking

Smoking has been accounted for numerous adverse effects. We report a direct effect of smoking in a 73-year-old patient, a heavy smoker who presented to the emergency department with a 48-h history of productive cough and fever. Chest x-ray and chest CT revealed right lung infiltrates; however, they were not suggestive of the diagnosis, which was established through flexible bronchoscopy. The specific procedure concurrently contributed to the treatment of the patient.

A 68-year-old man with haemoptysis and extensive ipsilateral lung infiltrates

A 68-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a 24-h history of haemoptysis and fever. The patient also reported a productive cough for 5 years. He was a current smoker (smoking history of 80 pack-years) with an otherwise unremarkable past medical history. On examination, his respiratory rate was 24 breaths per min, heart rate was 120 beats per min, temperature 39.2°C and his oxyhaemoglobin saturation was 98% in room air. On auscultation, breath sounds were reduced and end-expiratory crackles were heard over the left lung. Physical examination was otherwise normal. Blood tests showed: white blood cells 14 500 cells·μL⁻¹ (neutrophils 12 000 cells·μL⁻¹, lymphocytes 1900 cells·μL⁻¹), haemoglobin 13.9 g·dL⁻¹, platelets 256 000 μL⁻¹, C-reactive protein (CRP) 128 mg·L⁻¹, erythrocyte sedimentation rate 90 mm·h⁻¹, normal electrolytes, urea 45 mg·dL⁻¹ and creatinine 1.22 mg·dL⁻¹.

Can you diagnose this 68-year-old male with 24-h history of haemoptysis, 5-year history of productive cough and ipsilateral lung infiltrates?https://bit.ly/3tyhANB

Refining diagnostic criteria for paediatric bronchiectasis using low-dose CT scan

BACKGROUND

There is a current lack of consensus amongst paediatric radiologists and respiratory paediatricians as to the correct CT definition of bronchiectasis in children. Using contemporary low-dose CT, our objectives were to determine the upper limit of normal for broncho-arterial ratio (BAR) in children and to evaluate the effect of age and general anaesthesia.

METHODS

Measurements of 330 broncho-arterial ratios from 51 children (0-19 years) undergoing low-dose CT chest for non-respiratory indications were performed by 3 blinded observers (two radiologists, one respiratory physician) using four different methods. Inter-observer reliability, mean BAR and reference ranges (mean±2SD) were calculated. Correlation between age and BARs were examined. Mean BAR for CT under general anaesthesia and CT awake were compared.

RESULTS

Inter-observer correlation was extremely high for all measurements (0.93-0.97). There was a weak positive correlation between age and BAR in the CT-awake group (r = 0.33, 95%CI: 0.03-0.57; p = 0.031) using the inner-bronchial wall to artery, short-axis measurement. CT under general anaesthesia showed significantly higher BAR compared to CT-awake [mean difference 0.13 (95%CI: 0.05-0.22; p = 0.004)]. For the CT-awake group, the mean BAR was 0.65 (range: 0.42 to 0.89), with no child having a BAR above 0.9.

CONCLUSION

Using a standardised approach, we have shown that a broncho-arterial ratio above 0.9 in children undergoing awake CT is abnormal and suggests airway widening or radiological bronchiectasis. Children undergoing CT under anaesthesia have higher BARs than those undergoing awake CT. A weak positive correlation between broncho-arterial ratio and age was observed, hence, age-adjusted cut-offs for BAR warrant further study.

Neutrophil Elastase and Chronic Lung Disease

Neutrophil elastase (NE) is a major inflammatory protease released by neutrophils and is present in the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, non-CF bronchiectasis, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Although NE facilitates leukocyte transmigration to the site of infection and is required for clearance of Gram-negative bacteria, it also activates inflammation when released into the airway milieu in chronic inflammatory airway diseases. NE exposure induces airway remodeling with increased mucin expression and secretion and impaired ciliary motility. NE interrupts epithelial repair by promoting cellular apoptosis and senescence and it activates inflammation directly by increasing cytokine expression and release, and indirectly by triggering extracellular trap release and exosome release, which magnify protease activity and inflammation in the airway. NE inhibits innate immune function by digesting opsonins and opsonin receptors, degrading innate immune proteins such as lactoferrin, and inhibiting macrophage phagocytosis. Importantly, NE-directed therapies have not yet been effective in preventing the pathologic sequelae of NE exposure, but new therapies are being developed that offer both direct antiprotease activity and multifunctional anti-inflammatory properties.

Increased Incidence and Associated Risk Factors of Aspergillosis in Patients with Bronchiectasis

There are insufficient data regarding the relationship between non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis and incident aspergillosis. We performed a population-based, matched cohort study using data from the Korean National Health Insurance database between 2003 and 2013. The incidence of aspergillosis was 50/100,000 person-years in the bronchiectasis cohort and 11/100,000 person-years in the matched cohort (subdistribution hazard ratio, 4.53; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.25–6.32). Among the bronchiectasis cohort, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (adjusted HR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.07–3.57), previous pulmonary tuberculosis (adjusted HR, 3.67; 95% CI, 2.03–6.64), and non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (adjusted HR, 11.25; 95% CI, 1.49–85.18) increased the risk of incident aspergillosis. The incidence of aspergillosis in patients with bronchiectasis was approximately 4.5-fold that in those without bronchiectasis. Comorbid pulmonary diseases—chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous pulmonary tuberculosis, and non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease—significantly increased the risk of aspergillosis in patients with bronchiectasis. Our study indicates that close monitoring is warranted for aspergillosis in patients with bronchiectasis.

COVID-19-Associated Bronchiectasis and Its Impact on Prognosis

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which initially emerged in Wuhan, China, has rapidly swept around the world, causing grave morbidity and mortality. It manifests with several symptoms, on a spectrum from asymptomatic to severe illness and death. Many typical imaging features of this disease are described, such as bilateral multi-lobar ground-glass opacities (GGO) or consolidations with a predominantly peripheral distribution. COVID-19-associated bronchiectasis is an atypical finding, and it is not a commonly described sequel of the disease. Here, we present a previously healthy middle-aged man who developed progressive bronchiectasis evident on serial chest CT scans with superimposed bacterial infection following COVID-19 pneumonia. The patient's complicated hospital course of superimposed bacterial infection in the setting of presumed bronchiectasis secondary to COVID-19 is alleged to have contributed to his prolonged hospital stay, with difficulty in weaning off mechanical ventilation. Clinicians should have high suspicion and awareness of such a debilitating complication, as further follow-up and management might be warranted.

Anxiety and depression as possible criteria in the treatment of bronchiectasis

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bronchiectasis operation on anxiety and depression.

Methods

Between August 2014 and March 2019, a total of 167 patients with bronchiectasis (107 males, 60 females; mean age: 43.5±13.9 years; range, 18 to 84 years) who received medical (n=70) and surgical (n=97) treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Data including patients" characteristics, operation indication, operation type, and bronchiectasis localization were obtained from the electronic patient files. The patients were reached via phone calls and evaluated whether the operation provided a significant symptomatic improvement and whether the symptoms disappeared. The number of exacerbations/hospitalizations associated with bronchiectasis within the last year was also questioned. The anxiety and depression status of the patients in both groups was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Results

Eleven (15%) patients in the medical group and 10 (10%) patients in the surgical group had an anxiety score above 7. Twenty-one (30%) patients in the medical group and 10 (10%) patients in the surgical group had a depression score above 7. Both the anxiety and depression scores were significantly lower in the surgical group than the medical group (p<0.001). Annual exacerbation and annual hospitalization rates were also significantly lower in the surgical group (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Our study results suggest that patients with bronchiectasis treated medically rather than surgically are more prone to be anxious and depressive. The benefits of surgical treatment in patients with bronchiectasis is not limited to improving symptoms and decreasing the frequency of exacerbations/hospitalizations. We believe that surgical treatment also reduces anxiety and depression and improve the quality of life. While making a surgical decision, the anxiety/depression status of bronchiectasis patients should be considered.

Association of low fat mass with nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in patients with bronchiectasis

The incidence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection is high in patients with underlying lung disease such as bronchiectasis. Although previous studies have reported many risk factors contributing to the development of NTM-lung disease (LD), only a few reports on the relationship of the characteristics of patients, such as body mass index (BMI), skeletal mass, and fat mass, with NTM-LD have been published. We aimed to investigate the association between these parameters and NTM-LD in patients with bronchiectasis.A monocentric retrospective study in a university hospital was conducted over 4 years (2013-2016). Parameters including BMI, skeletal mass, and fat mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis in noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients. Patients were grouped by the presence or absence of NTM-LD, and the differences in BMI, skeletal mass, and fat mass between the 2 groups were compared. In the NTM-LD group, the progression of disease was also followed.Two hundred forty-five patients with bronchiectasis were enrolled in the study. One hundred six subjects (48%) had NTM-LD. These patients with NTM-LD were predominantly female, and had a significantly lower body weight (58.20 ± 8.84 vs 54.16 ± 8.99, P < .001), BMI (22.67 ± 3.04 vs 21.20 ± 2.59 kg/m2, P < .001), fat mass (16.19 ± 6.60 vs 14.23 ± 5.79, P = .013), and fat mass index (FMI; 6.79 ± 2.70 vs 5.57 ± 2.27 kg/m2, P < .001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that both female sex and lower FMI but not skeletal muscle index were independent risk factors for NTM-LD after adjusting for age, bronchiectasis severity index, and BMI (odds ratio 3.86 (1.99-7.78); 0.72 (0.63-0.82), P < .001, respectively).Our results suggest that lower FMI may contribute to susceptibility to NTM infection in patients with bronchiectasis, independent of age or its severity.

Diaphragmatic Ultrasound in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: Relationship to Clinical Parameters

The aim of this study was to assess diaphragm thickness (DT) and mobility (DM) and to investigate their relationship to clinical parameters in patients with non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis. Thirty-eight patients with non-CF bronchiectasis were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. DT was measured using ultrasound at different lung volumes (at residual volume [DT_RV], functional residual capacity [DT_FRC] and total lung capacity [DT_TLC]). DM was measured using ultrasound during quiet breathing (DM_QB) and deep breathing (DM_DB). Disease severity, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity and physical activity were assessed. DT_RV correlated with disease severity (ρ = 0.332, p = 0.042), FEV1% (r = 0.387, p = 0.016) and FVC% (r = 0.405, p = 0.012). DT_FRC correlated with FVC% (r = 0.331, p = 0.042). DT_TLC correlated with disease severity (r = 0.430, p = 0.007) and total physical activity time (r = 0.379, p = 0.019). DM_DB correlated with disease severity (ρ = -0.380, p = 0.019), FEV1% (r = 0.369, p = 0.023) and FVC% (r = 0.405, p = 0.012). DT is related to disease severity, pulmonary function and physical activity, while DM is related to disease severity and pulmonary function in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis.

Development of Inhalable Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for Ciprofloxacin for Noncystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Treatment

Purpose

Ciprofloxacin (CIP) has poor lung targeting after oral inhalation. This study developed optimized inhalable nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for CIP to enhance deposition and accumulation in deeper parts of the lungs for treatment of noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB).

Methods

NLC formulations based on stearic acid and oleic acid were successfully prepared by hot homogenization and in vitro-characterized. CIP-NLCs were formulated into nanocomposite micro particles (NCMPs) for administration in dry powder inhalation (DPI) formulations by spray-drying (SD) using different ratios of chitosan (CH) as a carrier. DPI formulations were evaluated for drug content and in vitro deposition, and their mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), fine particle fraction (FPF), fine particle dose (FPD), and emitted dose (ED) were determined.

Results

The CIP-NLCs were in the nanometric size range (102.3 ± 4.6 nm), had a low polydispersity index (0.267 ± 0.12), and efficient CIP encapsulation (98.75% ± 0.048%), in addition to a spherical and smooth shape with superior antibacterial activity. The in vitro drug release profile of CIP from CIP-NLCs showed 80% release in 10 h. SD of CIP-NLCs with different ratios of CH generated NCMPs with good yield (>65%). The NCMPs had a corrugated surface, but with increasing lipid:CH ratios, more spherical, smooth, and homogenous NCMPs were obtained. In addition, there was a significant change in the FPF with increasing lipid:CH ratios (P ˂ 0.05). NCMP-1 (lipid:CH = 1:0.5) had the highest FPD (45.0 µg) and FPF (49.2%), while NCMP-3 (lipid:CH = 1:1.5) had the lowest FPF (37.4%). All NCMP powders had an MMAD in the optimum size range of 3.9–5.1 μm.

Conclusion

Novel inhalable CIP NCMP powders are a potential new approach to improved target ability and delivery of CIP for NCFB treatment.