Decreasing Rate of Unknown Bronchiectasis Etiology: Evaluation of 319 Adult Patients with Bronchiectasis

Annual FEV1 Loss in Patients with Noncystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis and Affecting Factors

OBJECTIVES

Bronchiectasis is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by sputum production, cough, and several bronchial infections. Lung function is an important parameter to evaluate and study in patients with bronchiectasis. This study aimed to evaluate the annual changes in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and related factors in patients with with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

METHODS

A total of 529 patients who were diagnosed as having bronchiectasis using computed tomography and followed at the bronchiectasis unit of the Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty at Istanbul University between 1996 and 2018 were included in this retrospective study. A total of 153 patients were included in the study.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 58.6 ± 16.8 years and 61% (n = 93) were female. The annual change of FEV₁ and forced vital capacity was -39 ± 82 (minimum: -585, maximum: 355, median: -26) mL and - 44 ± 91 (minimum: -517, maximum: 303, median: -31) mL, respectively. There was no correlation in FEV₁ decline between those with and without Pseudomonas colonization (P = 0.65). No correlation was found between the etiologic factors and the decline of FEV₁. A correlation existed only between the first FEV₁ and the decline of FEV₁ (for the first FEV₁%, P = 0.038 [R = -0.17]; for the first FEV₁ [mL] P = 0.026 [R = -0.18]).

CONCLUSIONS

An annual mean FEV₁ loss of 39 mL was found in adult patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. The annual mean FEV₁ decline was found to be associated with the baseline FEV₁ value. Physicians should exercise caution in this regard in patients with bronchiectasis with low FEV₁ values.