Impact of Immunoglobulin E and Airway Obstruction on Bronchiectasis

Abstract

Introduction: Although an increased prevalence of airway obstruction, bronchial hyperreactivity and allergic diseases such as asthma has been associated with bronchiectasis, studies investigating role of atopy in bronchiectasis are few and controversial. We have therefore studied IgE level and reversible airways obstruction in bronchiectasis which have not previously been evaluated in bronchiectasis. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted at Department of Chest Diseases of Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt from January 2012 to December 2013, all consecutive patients with bronchiectasis admitted to the department were enrolled to the study. Serum IgE, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) were done to all cases. Results: Patients with high IgE (32/50) had longer disease duration and frequent history of allergic diseases. They also had significantly worse FEV1 (49.38 ± 12.65; p = 0.041) and FEV1/FVC (60.89 ± 13.52, p = 0.015) values. Mean HRCT score was significantly higher in patients with high IgE than in patients with normal (18/50) IgE (23.6 ± 10.1 and 7.83 ± 2.43 respectively). IgE showed positive correlation (r = 0.266, p = 0.015) with HRCT scores. Furthermore, the mean increase in FEV1 after inhalation of salbutamol was significantly greater (p = 0.002) in high IgE patients. Conclusions: In conclusion, IgE level is significantly high in bronchiectasis and it may lead to worse pulmonary function and more HRCT extent. Appreciable reversible airways obstruction should be sought in all cases of bronchiectasis and treated appropriately.