An Insight into Bronchiectasis: Causes, Clinical Features, and Treatment Practices

Abstract

Introduction: Bronchiectasis is a common, progressive respiratory disease characterized by irreversibly dilated, damaged, and thickened bronchi. It is present as a clinical syndrome of chronic cough, sputum production, and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. The diagnosis depends on a degree of strong clinical and radiological suspicion. The aim of study was to give an overview of the causes, clinical features, and treatment practices of patients with bronchiectasis. Patients and Methods: This was a single-center, hospital-based, prospective, observational study in nonrandomized consecutive patients. All suspected cases were investigated by performing relevant blood, sputum, and radiological investigations. Diagnosis and etiology were confirmed with High Resolution Computed Tomography and clinical evaluation. Diagnosed cases were prescribed treatment as per the standard guidelines and followed up for a year. Results: Symptom wise, all enrolled patients had cough with expectoration, 71% complained of dyspnea, 41% had hemoptysis, and 35% had chest pain. Etiologically, bronchiectasis was postinfective in 46.5% and posttubercular in 34.9% cases. Antibiotics and pulmonary rehabilitation were taken by 28% of the cases, and antibiotics, pulmonary rehabilitation, and bronchodilators were taken by 25%. Conclusions: Although considered an “orphan” disease, bronchiectasis still accounts for a considerable number of patients, especially in a tertiary care center. When suspected on the chest radiograph, it can be confirmed on the high-resolution computed tomography thorax. Postinfective causes such as pneumonia and tuberculosis appear to be the predominant etiology leading to bronchiectasis. Treatment strategies are mainly symptomatic, and the disease can be controlled with appropriate antibiotics and pulmonary rehabilitation.