[Non-fibrocystic bronchiectasis: description of a series of 244 patients]

Non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition caused by abnormal bronchial, resulting from various etiologies unrelated to cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study is to describe a series of patients with non-CF bronchiectasis.

A retrospective study was conducted on adult patients (= 18 years) with non-CF bronchiectasis confirmed by high resolution computed tomography.

A total of 244 patients were included in the study. The population was predominantly female (60%), and the mean age was 64 years. The most frequent causes of non-CF bronchiectasis were tuberculosis (28%) and post infectious etiologies (21%). Dyspnea was the primary symptom reported in 56% of cases. Tomographic abnormalities affecting three or more lobules were observed in 35% of patients, while bi-lobar abnormalities were noted in 33%. The most common spirometric pattern was the obstruction (37%). More than one half of the patients had a reduction in the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Microbiological isolates were identified in 33 patients (13.5%). The most frequently isolated species was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in 17 of those 33 (51.5%). Inhaled therapies were used in 53% of patients, and inhaled steroids in 52% of patients. According to the FACED score, 75% of patients were classified as mild disease.

In our study, tuberculosis was the most common cause of non-CF bronchiectasis, which represents a distinctive characteristic of our population when compared to other major reported series.