Diaphragmatic Ultrasound in Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: Relationship to Clinical Parameters

The aim of this study was to assess diaphragm thickness (DT) and mobility (DM) and to investigate their relationship to clinical parameters in patients with non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis. Thirty-eight patients with non-CF bronchiectasis were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. DT was measured using ultrasound at different lung volumes (at residual volume [DT_RV], functional residual capacity [DT_FRC] and total lung capacity [DT_TLC]). DM was measured using ultrasound during quiet breathing (DM_QB) and deep breathing (DM_DB). Disease severity, pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity and physical activity were assessed. DT_RV correlated with disease severity (ρ = 0.332, p = 0.042), FEV1% (r = 0.387, p = 0.016) and FVC% (r = 0.405, p = 0.012). DT_FRC correlated with FVC% (r = 0.331, p = 0.042). DT_TLC correlated with disease severity (r = 0.430, p = 0.007) and total physical activity time (r = 0.379, p = 0.019). DM_DB correlated with disease severity (ρ = -0.380, p = 0.019), FEV1% (r = 0.369, p = 0.023) and FVC% (r = 0.405, p = 0.012). DT is related to disease severity, pulmonary function and physical activity, while DM is related to disease severity and pulmonary function in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis.