Clinical significance in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis followed in a real practice

Abstract

Introduction: Bronchiectasis is a chronic disorder characterized by permanent dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles accompanied by inflammatory changes in the walls of these structures and adjacent lung paren¬chyma. Objective: The aim of the present study was to perform a clinical and functional characterization of adult patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Methods: A clinical, descriptive, retrospective, case¬-series study was carried out involving 232 patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis treated at a lung ambulatory between 2004 and 2012. Results: The sample consisted of 232 patients (134 females; mean age: 52.9 years ± 17.7; body mass index: 23.5 kg/m2 ± 4.4). The predominant symptoms were cough (91.4%), ex¬pectoration (85.8%) and dyspnea (76.3%). The majority of cases were of a non-tuberculosis etiology (64.7%). Regarding lung function, the obstructive breathing pattern was predominant (43.5%). The most common comorbidities were of a cardiovascular origin (51.0%). Conclusions: Adult patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (mainly post-infection or post-tuberculosis in origin) are characterized by a low educational level, excessive cough, sputum, dyspnea, muscle fatigue, an obstructive breathing pattern with frequent hypo¬xemia and multiple comorbidities, mainly of a cardiovascular origin. However, our patients have a low index of exacerbations and hospitalizations that can be assigned to a clinical protocol for monitoring.