Asthma-Bronchiectasis Combination May Lead to Worsened Pulmonary Function
Patients with both asthma and bronchiectasis have worse asthma control levels and lower respiratory function test results than patients with solely asthma or bronchiectasis, according to new research presented at the CHEST Annual Meeting. Hospitalization and exacerbation rates were found to be similar, however.
The study, authored by Aykut Cilli, MD, and colleagues, was presented on Wednesday, October 10, at the CHEST Annual Meeting in San Antonio.
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To reach their conclusion, the researchers evaluated the records of 127 patients who visited the Pulmonology Department of Akdeniz University Faculty in Antalya, Turkey, between January 1, 2014, and January 1, 2017. Of those participants, 53 had asthma, 53 had bronchiectasis, and 21 had both asthma and bronchiectasis. The researchers analyzed the effects of the coexistence of asthma and bronchiectasis using data from these 3 groups.
The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) percentage, the forced vital capacity (FVC), the FEV1/FVC ratio, and FEV1 (in liters) values were significantly lower among participants with both asthma and bronchiectasis compared with participants who had either asthma or bronchiectasis.
Asthma control levels were also significantly worse in participants with both asthma and bronchiectasis.
Participants with both asthma and bronchiectasis and participants with solely bronchiectasis also presented with different symptoms, with the former most frequently experiencing dyspnea and the latter most frequently experiencing sputum.
The 3 groups had no statistically significant difference in the number of hospitalizations and exacerbations.
“Asthmatic patients with bronchiectasis showed lower respiratory function test results and worse asthma control levels,” the researchers concluded. “This group of patients should be evaluated more carefully.”
—Colleen Murphy
Reference:
Cilli A, Uzer F, Boztepe Z. Clinical effects of asthma and bronchiectasis coexistence. Paper presented at: CHEST Annual Meeting 2018; October 6-10, 2018; San Antonio, TX. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2018.08.016. Accessed October 22, 2018.