Bronchiectasis in COPD: increased susceptibility of the airways to aggressive agents?

Studies have shown a high prevalence of bronchiectasis in moderate to severe COPD patients but the role of this finding remains obscure.Objective: to investigate whether bronchiectasis in COPD patients characterize a distinct subgroup.Methods: a cross-sectional, observational study with GOLD III/IV patients and tobacco load ≥10 pack-years was performed at the Pulmonary Diseases clinics, Campinas, Brazil, between Jun/11 to Jan/14. The Research Ethics Committee approved the study, participants signed informed consent. Clinically stable patients were evaluated, submitted to high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and functional evaluation (spirometry, 6-minute walk test). CT scans were evaluated to identify the presence and profusion of bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, air trapping and emphysema. Patients with bronchiectasis (two or more lobes) were compared with those with bronchiectasis just in one lobe or no bronchiectasis.Results: 65 patients, 65.1 ± 10.3 years old, 62% of men were included. There was no difference regarding symptoms, exacerbation rate, dyspnea index, home oxygen therapy, O2 saturation and spirometry. There were differences (p<0.05) in tobacco load and walk distance.Comments: Although pulmonary function were similar between groups, patients with bronchiectasis had a significant lower tobacco load, suggesting that specific predisposing factors may determine tobacco injury to airways or alveoli. The two structural patterns of disease (a...
Source: European Respiratory Journal - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: Clinical Problems Source Type: research