The overlap between bronchiectasis and chronic airway diseases: state of the art and future directions

Eva Polverino (Lead / Corresponding author), Katerina Dimakou, John Hurst, Miguel-Angel Martinez-Garcia, Marc Miravitlles, Pierluigi Paggiaro, Michal Shteinberg, Stefano Aliberti, James D Chalmers

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    153 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Bronchiectasis is a clinical and radiological diagnosis associated with cough, sputum production and recurrent respiratory infections. The clinical presentation inevitably overlaps with other respiratory disorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, 4-72% of patients with severe COPD are found to have radiological bronchiectasis on computed tomography, with similar frequencies (20-30%) now being reported in cohorts with severe or uncontrolled asthma. Co-diagnosis of bronchiectasis with another airway disease is associated with increased lung inflammation, frequent exacerbations, worse lung function and higher mortality. In addition, many patients with all three disorders have chronic rhinosinusitis and upper airway disease, resulting in a complex "mixed airway" phenotype.The management of asthma, bronchiectasis, COPD and upper airway diseases has traditionally been outlined in separate guidelines for each individual disorder. Recognition that the majority of patients have one or more overlapping pathologies requires that we re-evaluate how we treat airway disease. The concept of treatable traits promotes a holistic, pathophysiology-based approach to treatment rather than a syndromic approach and may be more appropriate for patients with overlapping features.Here, we review the current clinical definition, diagnosis, management and future directions for the overlap between bronchiectasis and other airway diseases.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalThe European respiratory journal
    Volume52
    Issue number3
    Early online date26 Jul 2018
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2018

    Keywords

    • Asthma/diagnosis
    • Bronchiectasis/diagnosis
    • Comorbidity
    • Humans
    • Phenotype
    • Precision Medicine
    • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/diagnosis

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