[Risk factors for acute exacerbation in patients with bronchiectasis]

To evaluate the risk factors for patients with an acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis.

Retrospective analyses were conducted for 228 patients diagnosed with acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis at Affiliated Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2008 to December 2012. Depending on whether there were recurrences with exacerbation within one year after discharge, they were divided into two groups. Their basic profiles, clinical symptoms and signs, blood tests, sputum culture, dyspnea score (mMRC) and imaging data were analyzed.

There were 110 males and 118 females with an average age of (64.5+14.5) years. The incidence of the recurrence of acute exacerbation was 55.7% (127/228) within one year after discharge. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 60 years (OR = 2.583, 95%CI: 1.188-5.613), body mass index (BMI)<18.5 kg/m(2) (OR = 2.991, 95%CI: 1.112-8.042), high dyspnea score (OR = 7.905, 95%CI: 2.288-27.309), Pseudomonas aeruginosa in sputum culture (OR = 3.227, 95%CI: 1.041-10.004), chest high-resolution computed tomography (CT) displayed bronchiectasis involving ≥ 3 lobes (OR = 3.179, 95%CI: 1.449-6.976) and staying in intensive care unit (ICU) (OR = 2.499, 95%CI: 1.301-4.801) were associated with the acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis (all P < 0.05).

There are multiple risk factors of acute exacerbation in patients with bronchiectasis. And their proper identification and management shall improve the prognosis of bronchiectasis patients.